In the world of the SOE, trust was not optional. It was the system itself. And when that system failed — or was believed to have failed — the consequences were not abstract. They were measured in names. And in those who did not come back.

In the end, the question is not only what Henri Déricourt did, or did not do…

My pottering about in the kitchen with only the bare minimals took me back to the cooks of the Second World War, to the ingenuity required under rationing, the necessity of making do with what was at hand. It reminded me of the wartime recipe book I created last year, a project that resonated far more widely than ever expected.

Just before she left, Maurice gave Muriel a leather powder compact—a farewell token, personal and cherished. They were engaged. De Vomécourt thought it looked suspiciously new and nearly forbade her from taking it. But Muriel insisted. With a little help from ammonia to age its surface, the compact was allowed to travel with her into occupied France.

We don’t know if it went with her into her grave, or whether it was returned to England—a small, silent witness to a brief but powerful wartime love.

June’s daughters of the SOE remind us of the breadth—and the cost—of courage. Muriel Byck, Pearl Witherington and Violette Szabo. Each of them carved a legacy in their own way: through loyalty, leadership, or the ultimate sacrifice. Their stories remind us that resistance is not a single act, but a way of living—even when the odds are against you.

As a fellow June girl, I carry a quiet connection to these women. And each year, as their birthdays return, I’m reminded that history doesn’t rest—it waits to be remembered.

As the month of May unfolds, we turn the page on another chapter of remembrance—this time for the five brave women of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), Section F, who were born during this spring month.
Among all the months we honor, May stands apart for a rare and remarkable reason. May’s daughters remind us that courage sometimes means not only fighting, but surviving when the guns fell silent.

April is the most remarkable month in our calendar of remembrance, with eight female agents of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), Section F born during this time. These women came from all walks of life and across continents, united by a singular mission: to serve behind enemy lines in France and resist Nazi occupation during WWII.

Their courage echoes through time. Some survived the war and returned to quiet lives. Others paid the ultimate price, executed in camps or lost in the field. Some left behind photographs and medals. Others left behind only a name and codename—but all left their mark on history.

As the year progresses, I continue my tribute to the extraordinary women of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) Section F by remembering those born in March. Each of these brave agents answered the call to resist tyranny, risking their lives to support the Allied cause. This month, we honor the women whose birthdays fall in March, sharing their stories so they are never forgotten.

This month, in honor of Women's History Month, we shine a light on the famous and forgotten heroines of WWII’s resistance movements—women who fought, spied, sabotaged, and sacrificed. Some became legends, like Violette Szabo, whose bravery inspired books and films. Others, like Muriel Byck, Hannie Schaft, and Wanda Gertz, remain lesser known despite their extraordinary courage. Their stories deserve to be remembered.

World War II marked a turning point in history—not just on the battlefield but in how societies redefined roles for women. For the first time, women donned official military uniforms, stepping into roles that challenged traditional gender norms and showcased their courage, skill, and resilience. Join me as we explore the stories behind these iconic uniforms, the brave women who wore them, and the revolutionary shift they represented in military and social history.