Martyred For Belgium…
(The monument to Gabrielle Petit, shot by firing squad in 1916…)
Her head turns, as if watchful and protecting her secrecy.
A calm serenity prevails, hidden from the enemy, her demeanour
One of ordinariness, masking her dangerous wartime resistance.
Her clenched fist and the fierce determination in adversity
Confirm her loyalty to her country and her quiet valour,
Which would be punished by a firing squad’s cruel vengeance…
Pete Ray
21st August 2025…
During World War One, Gabrielle Petit helped an injured soldier to escape from Belgium.
Thus she came to the notice of the British and was offered the chance to spy on the Germans, for a fee.
She continued the work she had been doing for Belgian soldiers and also provided evidence of German troop movements and other information to the British.
However a German spy, pretending to be Dutch discovered her undercover activities and she was arrested, then finally shot by firing squad on April 1st 1916…
She had been a stubborn prisoner and often bit her inquisitors but she would never give up the names of her fellow spies.
Her code name was ‘Mademoiselle Legrand’, which was interesting as her real surname was Petit…
She was a brave lady…
He quizzical expression seems to take in the modernity all around the monument and her clenched fist characterises her strength and her belief in truth and right…
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