Tributes have been paid to a woman who risked her life in World War II.

Elsie Plummer (nee Crossley) who has died aged 94, was known in Huddersfield for driving replacement tanks to British troops after the D-Day Landings in 1944 while a sergeant in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

Born in Longwood in 1920, she later wrote a book on her involvement with the service called Sergeant, which detailed her journeys across the channel to the front line, despite not being legally allowed to do so.

She has been described as a “determined lady” by her long time friend Nora Beaumont, of Salendine Nook, who stayed in touch with her when she moved to live in Kings Lynn in Norfolk.

Nora said: “She was very nice, had a sergeant majorish attitude and was a very determined lady.

“She went to Longwood School then Royds Hall and signed up as a volunteer in the ATS in 1941.

“She trained at Fulford Barracks and then trained new recruits when she became a sergeant.

“Elsie then joined the 33rd Armoured Vehicles section in Bristol, and took tanks to Arromanches in Normandy

“She risked her life to transport them to the British Army when others were destroyed.

“But because women were not allowed there she had to use the cover story that she was on compassionate leave.

“During her third trip she was bombed and suffered shrapnel injuries in her face.”

Following the war Elsie returned to Huddersfield, where she met her future husband Victor while working for the police.

Nora said: “She took up a post as a radio operator then trained to become a teacher.

“Elsie and Victor retired to Kings Lynn and Victor died 14-years-ago.

“When she moved there she joined the Lynn Branch of the Royal British Legion and veteran charity Bridge for Heroes.

“The founder of the RBL branch Ken Taylor hopes to create a memorial to her.”

Elsie has left behind son David, two grandchildren and one great grandchild.