Remember: Gisèle Pelicot

Sometimes it is good to remember that "little" people(s) of the world often achieve or survive many things, only to slip down the cracks of history, back into obscurity. Here is a French-born woman, Gisèle Pelicot, who bravely gave up anonymity in order to facilitate her unswerving determination to have her horrific abuse, by her husband and the men of a whole village, made known to the public (now world-wide). She has dignity and determination for justice that many should admire.

To start to understand her and her story start here.

Gisèle's is an extraordinary female abuse case, with the twist being that for decades her husband had regularly drugged her in order to film village residents raping and defiling her unconscious self, luckily without recollection by her. It was only the chance discovery of over 22,000 videos on her husband's computer that initiated the trial of a whole village.

Gisèle Pelicot (An dignified and inspirational survivor)

Gisèle has stated that she wants to move on from this very public ordeal; she has divorced her abuser, reverted to her maiden name and relocated within France to hopefully enjoy the simple pleasure of life amongst her family and remaining friends. Having shared her moment in history I believe she now wants to find a route back into obscurity, but with her current fame will she and her immediate family be able to do so, for a family rift has developed prior to appeals being heard in courts that she is determined to attend as a witness.  

With the end of her court case she made a final dignified statement. Best wishes Giséle.

The postscript to Gisele's case was that her husband got 20 years prison and half the village (-named here-) got from 10-15 years each; her daughter Caroline Darian said their father should die in prison. 

Gisele's trauma is opening the eyes and ears of many, asking difficult questions about modern society as similar cases were uncovered in the UK and a UK National Crime Agency (NCA) report revealed an organised international network of abusers.

Another abuse scandal was exposed in France, though that was the opposite of Gisèle's case, with one person systematically abusing many others; paedophile doctor Joel Le Scouarnec's trial revealed much, especially the apparent indifference of the public and of those around him who knew of his crimes. I have to ask, what else is going on?

Societies ability to accept and normalize such crimes leads me to wonder where are the Gisèle tapes now and will Netflix make yet another "human interest docudrama" film?  

Remember: Pearl Witherington (aka Cecile Cornioley)

Here is a British agent active during world war 2. She was a member of Britain' SOE (Special Operation Executive) and at the same time a French resistance group leader.

She was French by birth, to British parents and served the United Kingdom with resolution and distinction behind enemy lines. Born Pearl Witherington, she served as an SOE agent from 1943, after leaving a British Air Ministry job, aged 29, to be parachuted back into France. She became the only woman to ever simultaneously lead an SOE network and a 1500 strong French resistance group, but managed to survive the war, returning to England, then into retirement in France until her death, aged 94.

Like many who served for the UK, she will drift into history and her story lost, but take a little time to remember her service.

RIP Pearl Witherington (aka Cecile Cornioley)

Pearl upon receiving her wings, aged 92, after so much secrecy

There is a good book that remind us of  "Women In War - True Stories".

Remember: Charlotte "Betty" Webb MBE (Bletchley Park)

Once again I am thinking of one of the "little" people of the world who often achieve great things, only to slip down the cracks of history, back into general obscurity. English born Charlotte "Betty" Webb, contributed to our general well-being in the UK but was deliberately obscured for decades by the National Secrets Act, for she worked within Bletchley Park; well known since the 90's as the forerunner of GCHQ and their ilk.

"Betty" in her initial service days

Betty joined Bletchley at the age of 18 and thereafter her life, both personal and private became a national secret she kept until released from her bond of silence in 1975. To everyone she was a secretary, though it later transpired she was a fluent German speaking codebreaker of such expertise that following the end of WW2 the Americans snapped her up and she relocated to The Pentagon in the USA. Her contribution to the West's security demands our remembrance of her.

RIP Betty Webb MBE, Légion d'Honneur (1924-2025)

N.B. Bletchley Park house and grounds are now a museum open to the public. Here is their official site

Remember: Grp. Capt. John "Paddy" Hemingway

Dubliner John Hemingway's peaceful death on Monday 17th March 2025, aged 105, formally closed a very important chapter of UK history (perhaps also the world). He was the last surviving RAF fighter pilot who fought throughout the entire Battle Of Britain, a battle for supremacy in the skies over England in the first year of  WW2. His death reminds us of Europe's collective debt of thanks to all allied combatants of the brief but very intense Battle Of Britain.

Despite being injured and shot down 4 times, he and relatively few fighter pilots (100s) and their support personnel, prevented the expected invasion of England by the NAZI forces of Germany. The significance of this battle will never be underestimated, for had the NAZIs endured, the subsequent history of Europe (certainly) and then the world would have promised misery, subjugation and "elimination" for millions of people.

"Paddy" served the RAF from 1938 to 1969 and rightfully will hold the honour of being "one of the few", now the last of the few; though John said he was most proud to be the last surviving Irishman of that battle .

John at the start of his RAF service

RIP Group Captain John "Paddy" Hemingway DFC (17/07/1919 - 16/03/2025)

Yahoo! have written the best obituary to John, the the BBC did OK.

Remember: Mabel Wolff (nee Mabel Phillips)

Sometimes it is good to remember that "little" people(s) of the world often achieve great things, only to slip down the cracks of history, back into general obscurity. Here is a Welsh born woman, Mabel Phillips, whose uneventful early years started to change after marrying a German sailor, Max Wulff, in 1909.

Anti German sentiment following WW1 saw Mabel relocate to Germany after Max was deported, which for her and others must have been testing to say the least. Her loyalty to Max, her faith and their church was to become her "story" and the reason she is remembered.

Mabel's story is nothing in the scheme of things but the continued existence of "her" church to this day is her marker in the world. I wonder how many other markers exist of people long forgotten? I fear I have none, but live in hope of remembrance.

RIP Mabel (Phillips) Wulff's marker.

Who can you remember this day?

Remember: Maria Krystyna Janina Skarbek (aka Christine Granville)

Here is a British agent active during world war 2. She was a member of Britain' SOE (Special Operation Executive).

She was Polish by birth and served the United Kingdom with resolution and distinction behind enemy lines. Born Maria Krystyna Janina Skarberk, she Anglicized her name to Christine Granville.

Like many Poles who served for the UK, she will drift into history and her story lost, but take a little time here to honour her, or (if available in your global Facebook area) these posts.

RIP Maria Krystyna Janina Skarberk (aka Christina Granville)

Buried in Kensal Green cemetery in London

Remember: Elżbieta Zawacka (aka Zo)

Here is a British agent active during world war 2. She was a member of Britain' SOE (Special Operation Executive).

She was Polish by birth (1909-2009) and served the United Kingdom with resolution and distinction behind enemy lines as an SOE (Special Operation Executive) agent and a member of "Silent Unseen". Born Elzbieta Zawacka, she used the names Zo, Zofia Zajkowska and Elizabeth Watson whilst helping the UK.

Like many Poles who served for the UK, she will drift into history and her life story lost, but take a little time here and then again here to honour her and her career

Died 2009 - Buried in St George cemetery in Torun

RIP Elzbieta Zawacka 

More Polish stories here.