THE big spring exhibition at the Somerset Rural Life Museum at Glastonbury, on until 8th June, is Strength and Resilience: Somerset Women in the Second World War, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, by focusing on the lives of four women who played their part during the conflict and subsequent peace process.

Visitors to the museum can discover the roles played by these remarkable women, including celebrated photographer Lee Miller (1907-1977) who documented the work of WRENs at RNAS Yeovilton, for her wartime book, ‘Wrens in Camera.’ Miller is the subject of the 2023 film, Lee, starring Kate Winslet in the lead role. Four of Miller’s photos of RNAS Yeovilton will be exhibited in Somerset for the first time. They are on loan from the Lee Miller Archives, East Sussex.

The exhibition also explores the story of spy Odette Hallowes (1912-1995), who worked as a Secret Agent as part of the Special Operations Executive (SOE). She was part of the clandestine network established to support French resistance, but in 1943 she was captured and brutally tortured and spent the rest of the war imprisoned in Ravensbrück Concentration Camp.

Born in France, Odette lived in Somerset before and after the war, returning to convalesce after her release from the concentration camp. She was the first woman to be awarded the George Cross.

Visitors can also discover more about the peace campaigner and former actress Kathleen Tacchi-Morris (1899-1993) and Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) driver Betty Carter (1921-2022) who worked to rebuild Germany after the war.

Exhibition Curator Bethan Pritchard said: “On 8th May Britain will mark Victory in Europe Day so it is a fitting moment to play tribute to the many roles played by women during and after the Second World War.”

Photographs show Betty Parker, driving a truck; and Odette Hallowes receiving the George Cross (19th Nov 1946) for her work with the SOE. She is pictured with her daughter Francoise and husband Peter Churchill © Sophie Parker