Born: 1893 (Tournai, Belgium)
Died: 1916 (Schaerbeek, Belgium)
Biography:
Gabrielle Alina Eugenia Maria Petit was a Belgian woman who played a crucial role in the British Secret Service during World War I. Born on February 20, 1893, in the city of Tournai, Belgium, she came from humble working-class roots. When Petit was young, her mother passed away, and she was raised in a Catholic boarding school in Brugelette.
At the outbreak of World War I, Petit was living in Brussels, working as a saleswoman. However, she immediately volunteered to serve with the Belgian Red Cross, driven by a deep sense of duty and a desire to support her country during this challenging time.
Petit’s journey into espionage began in 1914 when she helped her wounded soldier fiancé, Maurice Gobert, cross the border into the neutral Netherlands to reunite with his regiment. During the journey, she gathered valuable information about the Imperial German Army, which she subsequently passed along to British Intelligence. Impressed by her resourcefulness and bravery, the British Secret Service recognized her potential and recruited her as a spy.
Given brief training, Petit was sent to spy on the enemy and became highly skilled in gathering crucial information about enemy troop movements. To protect her identity, she assumed multiple false identities and operated covertly on various missions. In addition to her spy activities, Petit also played a significant role in distributing the clandestine newspaper La Libre Belgique and assisting the underground mail service known as Mot du Soldat. She continued to help numerous young men cross the Dutch border, further contributing to the war effort.
However, Petit’s cover was ultimately exposed by a German agent, Colonel Walter Nicolai, head of Abteilung IIIb counterintelligence service, who had masqueraded as a Dutch individual. In February 1916, she was captured by German military police and imprisoned at the Prison de Sint-Gillis in a suburb of Brussels. Subsequently, Petit was tried and convicted of espionage under German military law, with the death penalty imposed on March 1.
During her trial, despite facing repeated offers of amnesty, Petit displayed immense loyalty to her fellow agents and refused to disclose their identities. Her dedication and steadfastness in the face of adversity earned her the respect and admiration of her comrades.
On April 1, 1916, at the insistence of the German military, Gabrielle Petit was executed by a firing squad at the Tir national execution field in Schaerbeek. She was buried at the same location, becoming a symbol of bravery and sacrifice for her country.
Legacy:
Gabrielle Petit’s story remained largely unknown until after the war. However, as the nation began to recover from the devastation of World War I, Petit’s courageous acts began to capture the imagination of the Belgian people. She was posthumously recognized as a national heroine for her unwavering dedication to her country and her resolute refusal to betray her fellow agents.
In May 1919, a state funeral was held for Petit, attended by Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, Cardinal Mercier of Brussels, and Prime Minister Léon Delacroix. This solemn ceremony served as a powerful testament to her remarkable contributions to the war effort and the enduring legacy of her sacrifice.
To honor her memory, Petit’s name was inscribed on the war memorial at the enclosure of the executed in Schaerbeek. Her inspiring story continues to inspire generations, serving as a reminder of the bravery and selflessness exhibited by women during times of conflict.