Secret WW2 bravery of Welsh mum who survived Nazi Germany and saved a historic church

Mabel Wulff, a remarkable woman from Newport, Wales, displayed extraordinary courage during World War Two while living in Nazi Germany. She dedicated herself to protecting the St Thomas à Becket Church in Hamburg, a significant Anglican church that served the English community. A black and white photograph captures Mabel standing at a stone font in the church, dressed in a checkered pinafore, her dark hair neatly pinned back. Despite her bravery being relatively unknown, a plaque in the church honors her incredible acts of valor. Mabel endured years of harassment from the Gestapo, the secret police of Nazi Germany, while also bravely combating fires caused by bombings. The plaque in the church states that without her efforts, the church would have been destroyed. Mabel not only safeguarded the church's artwork but also provided shelter to those in need, risking her own safety to save lives. Her grandson, Eddie Wulff, has spent years uncovering his grandmother's story, expressing, 'She’s a part of history - Newport history and Hamburg history. ' Mabel's journey began in 1909 when she married Max Wulff, a German sailor. They settled in Newport, where Max opened a restaurant and they welcomed two sons. However, their lives took a drastic turn when Max was viewed as an enemy by the British government and sent to prisoner of war camps. Mabel faced significant challenges as a German woman in Newport, especially during a time of strong anti-German sentiment. Eddie recalls, 'There was a lot of anti-German feeling in Newport. They asked Mabel whether she would divorce Max because he was a German - she refused to do that. ' After World War One, Max was not allowed to return to Newport and was sent back to Germany, where Mabel and their sons eventually joined him. Life in Hamburg during the 1930s was fraught with difficulties, but Mabel took on the role of caretaker of the English church. When World War Two broke out, the church became a target for the Gestapo, who frequently visited, searching for British flags that Mabel had cleverly hidden. Mabel's bravery shone through as she protected the church from the devastation of war. She hid valuable paintings and engravings, ensuring they were not damaged during the bombings. One notable piece, a copy of Raphael's Sistine Madonna, was safeguarded by Mabel and remains in the church today. Mabel's determination to protect the church was unwavering; she put out fires and provided refuge for families displaced by the bombings, all while drawing the attention of the Gestapo. Eddie fondly remembers his grandmother, stating, 'She was a good person. You didn’t mess with Mabel - she was formidable. ' Mabel served as the church's caretaker for 40 years, and her bravery did not go unnoticed. In 1947, Church of England officials recognized her for the 'great personal danger' she faced during the war. In 1956, she was awarded a British Empire Medal for her heroic actions. A gold plaque now hangs in the St Thomas à Becket Church, commemorating Mabel's contributions during the war. Although Mabel returned to Newport later in life and lived with Eddie's family, much of her story remained hidden until recently. Eddie reflects on his grandmother's legacy, saying, 'I am very proud of her. Most of it passed me by most of my life. I am in my 80s now and I'm just realizing how important my grandmother was.