Louisa Gould: A Beacon of Bravery, Courage, and Kindness
Louisa Gould, a resident of Jersey, displayed remarkable bravery and kindness during World War II and the ongoing occupation of the islands. Louisa Gould lived a relatively quiet life on the island of Jersey, part of the Channel Islands. The outbreak of World War II brought profound changes to her life, as it did for many others in Europe. Her world was further shattered when she lost her son to the war effort.
A widow, Louisa ran a village shop at Millais in St Ouen. Having ignored orders to submit all wireless devices to the occupying forces, Louisa listened to the radio news broadcasts every night, passing on information to her customers throughout the occupation.
The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by German forces during World War II. The occupation, which began in 1940 and lasted until 1945, brought about harsh conditions and stringent rules. The residents of Jersey faced curfews, rationing, and the constant presence of German soldiers. It was a time of fear and uncertainty, but also one that revealed the resilience and bravery of ordinary people like Louisa Gould.
In the midst of the occupation, Louisa Gould made a courageous decision that would define her legacy. Having lost her own son to the war, she felt a deep empathy for other mothers who were suffering similar losses. When an escaped Russian prisoner of war, Feodor Polycarpovitch Burriy, found his way to Jersey, Louisa did not hesitate to offer him shelter in her home. This act of kindness was not just a risk to her safety, but also a direct defiance of German orders, which forbade aiding escapees and carried severe penalties.
Unfortunately, Louisa’s act of compassion did not go unnoticed. She was betrayed by a neighbour, which led to Louisa’s arrest by the German authorities. Despite the danger to herself, she did not reveal the identities of others who had helped the escapee, demonstrating remarkable courage and loyalty even in the face of extreme pressure.
Louisa was killed at Ravensbrück concentration camp in 1945, just 2 months before the camp was freed. Louisa had used her time there to teach English to her companions.
The 2017 film Another Mother’s Son tells Louisa’s moving story, and was written by her great-niece, Jenny Lecoat and starring John Hannah, Amanda Abbington and Jenny Seagrove.