Odette was born and raised in France, where she met and married an Englishman.
Due to an accidental misdirection of mail, she came to the attention of the War Office and Special Operations Executive. She placed her three children in a convent school and underwent SOE spy training.
She parachuted into France and with Peter Churchill (no relation) assisted the Resistance. Churchill's organization was compromised, however, and both were arrested. Their cover story was they were married and Peter was the nephew of Winston. Despite severe torture, she stuck to the story.
She was sentenced to death and ended up in Ravensbruck. The cover, however, seemed to work and her life was spared. The commandant thought he would receive favorable treatment by escorting the niece of the P.M. to safety. It didn't work - Odette testified in the Ravensbruck war crimes trial.
Odette was awarded the George Cross, the only woman in the War who lived to receive it.
The plucky lady:
There is a P.S. In 1951 her home was burgled and the GC stolen. After a public appeal, it was returned with this note:
You, Madame, appear to be a dear old lady. God bless you and your children. I thank you for having faith in me. I am not all that bad — it's just circumstances. Your little dog really loves me. I gave him a nice pat and left him a piece of meat — out of fridge. Sincerely yours, A Bad Egg.