SPY’S TRAGIC STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1932, Page 6

SPY’S TRAGIC STORY

GAVE LIFE FOR BELGIUM. ,i“C’est avec.les humbles qu'on :ait des heros obscurs.” “It is from the ranks of t,he humble people that unknown he*oes are drawn’ wrote Gabrielle Petit, one oi the most famous of Belgian spies during 'he Great War, on the walls of her cell 1 while waiting for death at the hands of a German firing party. There is much about the aval' that all would wish to forget, but some of the traits in human character which came into prominenoe at that time of stress are well worth the remembering, even if only as a lesson for times of peace. And.among them is the bravery shown by women. The story of Gabrielle Petit's life •si death u /give* by Mrs H. Brown, of Avondale, who finished her education at 'the convent at Brugelette, in Belgium, which Gabrielle attended. Mrs Brown was there in 1909 and 1910, and in that time she came to know the Belgian girl, 'who lived in the convent orphanage, a s one who was generous and kind, and one who would go out of her way to do kindness.

The sisters of the convent have recently sent out to her a publication in 'French giving the story of the girl, •together 'with a photograph of /her memorial stone, which was set in the orphanage wall. 'When the unveiling ceremony took place, in July, 1922, the King and Queen of Belgium sent white roses, to be laid against the' stone.-

'CONVENT SISTERS’ STORY. It hag said by some that this girl, pious and convent-bred, was the pivot for the Belgian espionage system, that it was'her ‘hands that gathered together the threads; but however that may 'be, this much is true, that she played the part of a patriot, and this is the translation of the story told by the convent sisters :

1 “Gabrielle Petit, left an orphan at an early age, was sent, when nine years ■old, to 'the sisters of the Infant Jesus at Brugelette, near Mons, to be educated. There she remained until 16 years old. She was sent to a position at Brussels, and while there she became engaged. Her fiance was wounded early in August, 1914, ‘ and later was killed at the Yser. '“ln the early days of the war slip joined the Belgian Red Cross. Her work took her among not only her fellow cquntrymen, but among allies and enemy alike. In the course of her duties she had) occasion to attend a German who was mortally wounded. On opening his knapsack she found several valuable vases taken from one of the churches, and also the hand of a child about four years of age. Horrified at such a sight, she decided there and then to help her 'follow countrymen to escape the enemy. " " SflSSwr OF the liTssion.

She must put away her fears and consecrate her happiness and her life, if necessary, for those who were suffering for the ;cause of liberty and to confound the common enemy.’Then stfirted her difficult mission, a mission which allowed not a quiet second, risking arrest at every moment. It was not long, however, before her efforts were rewarded. The Belgian Army was 'able to occupy a large area and <take a great number of prisoners. 'There was hardly a move that the lenerny made that was not known to her, and carried to headquarters. Many of her assistants died at the hands of firing squads. 'Her friends begged her /to give up, jbut she would only give the same reply. By this time the espionage' system had become an organisation both pushing and ingenious. Its members were recruited from all classes, including many clergymen, and the. pivot on which this organisation worked was Gabrielle Petit. She was clever and active; ehe had a number of ursguises and names. One day would see her pushing a perambulator dressed as a housemaid. Shp would visit towns and villages as a hawker, and go as near the German lines and. as possible. She would cross the German lines als a German officer, or work as a general servant.

HER BETRAYALS. Then came a day when ono of her most trusted messengers was captured on his way to her. A Dutchman in the pay of the Germans presented hjmself, giving the password; but Gabrielle was full of suspicion, and said to him, “You speak French with a strange accent. One would tliniK you were a German.” He gave an explantion, and since the dispatches were urgent, she entrusted them to him.

The. departure of the traitor was interrupted by the arrival of two Germans and a Belgian. As soon as she realised what had happened, she cried, “Have you no shame that you should try to trap me by pretending to be Belgians.” But they only laughed, and hustled her into a waiting motor e»r. ;

THEY CONDEMNED HER TO DEATH. Gabrielle eventually found herself before her judges, unafraid, calm and proud. She answered their questions with scorn, and mocked them when they offered to spare her life if she would tell the names of her assistants. “Kill me,” she said. ‘‘But after my death the service will go on regularly. 1 know my men. They are all heroes.'* Her aunt and sister were allowed to see her in prison. Both wept, hut Gabrielle said to them, “Why do you cry? Do you not see that I am happy. I s ing patriotic hymns and write on

the walls with a hairpin, look, ‘O’est avec les humbles qu’oll fait des heros obscurs.’ I MUST SACRIFICE MY LIFE. “I must sacrifice my life for my country. I march proudly to death, as a young Belgian. All I ask of you is to have five Masses eaid for the repose of my soul. Farewell, dear sister,, dear aunt. We shall meet in Heaven.” The first of April came, the last day of life for the heroine. All she possessed was 581 f ram as. She calmly made her will, requesting that a few small debts should be paid and masses paid for. As she stepped into the car she recited her rosary, concentrating mainly on the words, “Now and at the hour of our death, Amen.” She looked on the crucifix with a sublime confidence, and prayed for courage. The car drew up at the place of execution. She saluted the chaplain, officers and soldiers. The Germans would have bandaged her eyes, but she said, “You might at least respect’ the last wishes of a woman who goes to death.” Arm upstretched, she faced the enemy and cried, “Long live Belgium! Long live !”

But .Gabrielle never pronounced the word “King.”