The extraordinary wartime bravery of a compassionate British shopkeeper who sheltered Allied commandos from the Nazis during World War II has finally come to light, nearly 40 years after her passing. Ada Le Poidevin lived on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel when she made the courageous decision to harbor three British soldiers who had been left behind during a daring raid on the Nazi-occupied territory in 1940.
Despite the immense danger—with German troops stationed right next door—Ada and her husband, Walter, offered their garden shed as a sanctuary for Corporal Dennis Dumper, Private Fred Drain, and Private Andrew Ross. The stranded trio lacked both food and shelter, and discovery by the enemy would have meant severe consequences, including potential deportation to concentration camps.
A Legacy of Courage Across Two World Wars
Amazingly, all three soldiers survived the harrowing conflict. They maintained a lifelong bond with Ada and Walter, frequently returning to Guernsey to visit them and even celebrating the couple's Golden Wedding anniversary alongside them.
This act of defiance was actually the second time Ada had placed herself in harm's way during a global conflict. During World War I, she spent two years supporting British troops in France, working in camps that frequently came under heavy enemy fire. Her remarkable story has now been meticulously pieced together by her niece, Liz Walton, using a treasured collection of personal diaries, photographs, and historical records.
- Sheltered three stranded British soldiers in a garden shed during the 1940 Nazi occupation of Guernsey.
- Volunteered for the Salvation Army in France during WWI, providing refreshments and mending clothes under enemy fire.
- Guided grieving families to war graves in France and personally tended to fallen soldiers' resting places.
Uncovering History Through Family Archives
Liz Walton, a 79-year-old retired teacher from Guernsey, transformed into a historical detective to match her late aunt's personal accounts with official wartime records. Fascinated by Ada’s stories since childhood, Liz preserved the memory of ordinary people making extraordinary sacrifices during turbulent times.
Born in Guernsey in 1895, Ada volunteered for the Salvation Army in her early twenties. Feeling a deep calling to help when no men in her family could enlist, she spent two years in British camps providing comfort to soldiers. For four years after the First World War, she also helped bereaved families travel to France to visit the graves of their loved ones, often leaving flowers and taking photographs on behalf of relatives who could not make the journey.
The Changing Role of Women in History
Reflecting on her aunt’s profound contributions, Liz highlights how Ada's generation paved the way for societal change. Women stepped up as nurses, cooks, clerks, and munitions workers, fundamentally reshaping their place in society and stepping out of traditional domestic roles.
Ada Le Poidevin's life stands as a shining testament to boundless empathy, quiet resilience, and the enduring power of human kindness in the face of adversity.
Source: Good News Network
