​​During World War II, Sonya D’Artois, born Sonya Butt, joined the British Special Operations Executive (SOE). Just days before the Normandy landings, she parachuted into France as part of a daring mission fraught with risk. Her landing near Le Mans didn’t go as planned: she was injured in the jump, her equipment was intercepted, and her initial Resistance contact was killed. Despite these setbacks, D’Artois demonstrated remarkable resourcefulness, quickly adapting and carrying out sabotage missions while relaying vital information to the Allies.

​Despite initially being seen as overconfident and emotional by her trainers, who were sceptical of women in combat roles, D’Artois’ field reports revealed her true strengths. Her courage, determination, and ability to navigate the dangerous and unpredictable terrain of the Resistance quickly earned her respect. She contributed significantly to both disrupting the German occupation and preventing their efforts to eradicate the French resistance network.

​In an era when women were mostly excluded from direct combat roles, D’Artois’ work was exceptional, reflecting both her personal resilience and the shifting roles women took on during the war. Of the 50 women sent by SOE into France, thirteen were captured and killed, underscoring the high stakes faced by these brave agents.

​Amidst her high-risk missions, D’Artois also experienced a romance. She met Canadian Guy D’Artois during parachute training, and the two were smitten from the start. They married in England before departing for their respective missions. After the war, they settled in Montreal, where they built a life together and raised six children. D’Artois quipped about her transition from explosive devices to baby formula, showing her humour and resilience in adapting to civilian life after the war.​