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Yvonne Cormeau
SOE, WAAF
DOB: 18/12/1909
Died: 25/12/1997
Age: 88

Yvonne Cormeau was a wireless operator who parachuted into France in August 1943. She sent a record of 400 transmissions in 13 months – the highest of any SOE wireless operator.

Yvonne had been widowed when her husband was killed in air raid in London in 1940.

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Yvonne transmitted from a remote French village with no running water for six months when it was usual practice for wireless operators to keep moving to avoid detection.

Even when the Germans became aware a female wireless operator was transmitting in their area she managed to evade capture – they were convinced no Englishwoman would stay in such a place.

Cormeau was acclaimed for the quality and quantity of her wireless transmissions. SOE cryptographer Leo Marks said that in more than 400 transmissions Cormeau never made a single mistake.

She received the Order of the British Empire and the Legion of Honour and Croix de Guerre.

Yvonne Cormeau passed away on Christmas Day 1997 at the age of 88.

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Barbara stevenson
Thank you to all the wonderful brave people who risked their lives
Paul Foulger
They shall always live on in my heart

Tributes

Stephen Harris
11/01/2022
Brave woman and essential to the war effort, RIP and thank you.
Molly Ingham
11/01/2022
Always look up to brilliant women like this, I salute your service
Anthony Bayes
12/01/2022
Very brave Lady..Rest in Peace..
Ian Brown
13/01/2022
Total respect and admiration and thanks.
Pam Walker
13/01/2022
My Father was our hero, went through the war, came out the other side, would never talkabout it, he lived 96 years.
Ingrid Mary Frances House
14/01/2022
My Mother, Vera Myrtle Miles, joined up early in the war and was sent to the WRENS. She served in many places, including Dover Castle where, remarkably , her great grandfather was born when his father was a British soldier, from Ireland SO he had to change his name to protect himself and his family. My Mother was also sent to Grimsby where she met my Father. They were married on October 21st 1945 . My Father died some years ago. My Mother died in 2019. She would have been 99 today.
David Southwell.
15/01/2022
My Dad was airforce and worked at Bletchley Park!!? ( must have let slip cos me mum told me ) she thinks. ?
Barry Lereng Wilmont
17/01/2022
Zenia Lereng (Tauber) Canadian sent to Denmark via England 1940-1945
John Ralph
03/05/2022
Charles George Ralph went a shore D day plus one fought right up into Germany. He wouldn’t say much about the war always remembered those he left behind. He would shout at the television when he saw someone he thought he knew saying there’s Bill I hope he got though it alright
Nickie Johnson
03/05/2022
Very brave and a remarkable achievement. My grandmother's records show she taught codes to those going out to France.
Bill Burgess
03/05/2022
Total respect
Gareth Cottee
01/04/2025
So sad
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