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Albert Bedane - a modest hero.

www.annefrankguide.net (website credit)

Albert Bedane, French-born, British (Jersey) naturalized, WW1 veteran (Hertfordshire Regt.) masseur/physiotherapist ... and rescuer of fugitives from the German authorities on Jersey, Channel Islands, during the occupation. Bedane's rescuing activities started with Mrs Mary Richardson, a Netherlands-born Jewish lady, who was due for to "a very nice special camp" in June, 1943. Instead, she vanished - into Albert Bedane-s two-room basement, where she was hidden for over two years. By 1944, the basement was getting a bit crowded, its inhabitants including a Jerseyman who had attempted to escape the island, a French PoW, and a number of Soviet PoW/slave workers on the run from the Todt Organisation. Postwar interviews with the French PoW testify to Bedane's modesty; he himself said postwar that "if I was going to be killed, I would rather be killed for a shep than a lamb". He was well aware of the fact that, by sheltering these people, he was placing himself in mortal danger. Other Jersey people had been killed for less. Yet he did it not deter him. His "guests" lived in his concealed basement while German officers received physio treatment in the clinic above them, and Bedane traded professional services for food with his farming neighbours in order to keep the refugees fed. Albert Bedane has received some recognition for his heroism, most notably in the posthumous award of Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, in honour of his rescue of Mrs Richardson. The Soviet Government awarded him, along with a number of other Channel Islanders, with a gold watch (!) in recognition of his rescue of Soviet fugitives. There have also been one or two blue plaques. As far as I know, neither the Dutch (Mrs Richardson's original nationality) or even British governments have honoured this modest hero for humanity for his courage. Best regards, JR.