Liberation 75: The story of Louisa Gould

  • Sophie Dulson has been looking back on the life and tragic death of Louisa Gould.

Louisa Mary Gould was born in Jersey in 1891 and lived in the parish of St Ouen.

She was a widow at the time of the Occupation and ran the Millais Stores in La Fontaine.

Louisa Gould's registration card is held at Jersey Archive. Credit: Jersey Heritage

She's remembered for sheltering an escaped Russian slave worker during this period.

His name was Feodor Buryi, or Bill to those who knew him.

A photograph of Feodor Buryi, more commonly known as Bill. Credit: CIOS Collection

Louisa looked after Bill for 18 months until two of her neighbours, Maud and Lily Vibert, gave her away by writing an anonymous letter to the German authorities.

The registration card of Maude Vibert. Maude was one of the sisters who denounced Louisa to the Germans. Credit: Jersey Heritage

She was subsequently convicted in June 1944 and sentenced to two years imprisonment in one of Germany's most brutal concentration camps, Ravensbrück.

It's believed Louisa fell ill in the camp and was sent to the gas chambers, where her life came to an abrupt and tragic end in February 1945.

The camp was liberated just a few months later in April.

Louisa's name is etched in history at Jersey's Holocaust memorial stone in St Helier. Credit: ITV Channel TV

Louisa Gould's name is forever remembered on the Holocaust memorial outside Jersey's Maritime Museum.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...