Memory Box: The leaf

Available for over a year

Leaves fall from trees in their countless millions every autumn. But one leaf – found unexpectedly in the barren grounds of a concentration camp – would become a symbol of hope for the Second World War spy, Odette Hallowes. After accidentally sending photos of the French coast to the War Office, Odette, a mother of three young girls, was offered a role in the Special Operations Executive (SOE). The SOE was a top secret underground army, helping local resistance movements and conducting espionage and sabotage in enemy-held territories. Odette arrived in France in November 1942 where she worked undercover. The following year she was captured and after interrogation and torture was sentenced to death and transported to Ravensbrück, a concentration camp for women in northern Germany. It was in that barren concentration camp that the now malnourished spy picked up a tiny, beautiful green leaf, one that would become a significant lifeline for her. Almost 80 years later, her granddaughter, Sophie Parker was looking through some of Odette’s possessions when she rediscovered that leaf. Presenter: Asya Fouks Producer: Thomas Harding Assinder If you have a story for our Memory Box about an object with great personal significance, please get in touch! Email [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707