Attended The Godolphin and Latymer School in Hammersmith, London on a scholarship.
Being most famous for her matron characters it is interesting to note that she actually was a Red Cross nurse during the second world war!
Fellow "Carry On..." team members gave her the nickname of 'Mother Superior' on the set of the films. This was due to her compassionate nature and willingness to help other cast members with their personal problems.
Last name was pronounced as "Jakes" rather than the French "Jacques" ("zhack").
She allegedly declined an O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1970s for her services to drama.
She worked as an arc-welder during World War II. She was able to use this skill when she played Alice, a welder, in Chance of a Lifetime (1950).
Two sons with actor John Le Mesurier: Robin Le Mesurier and Kim Le Mesurier. Kim died of an accidental drugs overdose on 6 October 1981, exactly a year after his mother.