Guernsey Lady Hid Commandos in Shed!

During the Nazi occupation of Guernsey, Ada Le Poivedin, described as an ordinary island lady, displayed remarkable courage by hiding two British commandos in her shed in 1941. These soldiers were left behind after a failed raid, likely due to unexpected tidal conditions. Her husband, Walter Bourgaize, was also involved in concealing them.

Liz Walton, Le Poivedin's niece, has been piecing together her aunt's remarkable history through family documents and historical records. She confirmed her aunt and uncle's role in harboring the commandos before they eventually surrendered to Nazi forces. Walton noted that her uncle kept a pistol and map left behind by the soldiers.

Le Poivedin's service extended beyond hiding commandos. In 1917, she volunteered with the Salvation Army in France, supporting troops by preparing meals. Following World War One, she continued her dedication by working with the grave visitation service, assisting bereaved relatives in locating their family members' final resting places. One of the commandos she aided maintained contact with Ada and Walter until their passing, even attending their golden wedding anniversary.

Walton expressed immense pride in her aunt's actions, emphasizing that Ada came from a modest working-class background and found the strength to undertake these significant deeds despite life's limitations for women of her time. Research into Ada's life, initiated after her death in the 1980s, was recently enhanced with information from Ancestry.