Guglielmina Petrelli

Guglielmina, a hairdresser, was nineteen at the time of the Armistice and, despite her young age, showed great courage. Together with her family, she cared for several Allied prisoners hiding in the area, bringing them food and other essential supplies.

One day, while she was in the village, she happened to pass by the place where some Fascists were arresting two Allied soldiers, Ford and Webster. The girl intervened, loudly demanding that the prisoners be released; her action distracted the Fascists, allowing the two soldiers to run away. Their escape, however, was short-lived: the Fascists opened fire, and despite Sergeant Ford raising his hands in surrender, he was shot and killed. 

Guglielmina intervened again and, to prevent the other soldier from being shot, placed herself between the Fascist militiamen and the man, taking the bullet instead. Her courageous and selfless act allowed Webster to escape. 

Guglielmina, seriously wounded in the leg, stayed in the hospital for nearly two months. Even during her subsequent recovery, she continued to help the prisoners passing through the area together with her family.

After the war, the woman did not submit any compensation claim to the Allied Commission. It was the former prisoner Webster, upon returning home, who testified about her act of heroism and prompted the Commission to open a claim on her behalf.

She received compensation for the permanent disability caused by her injury; she was also awarded (though never actually presented with) the King’s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom: «For her courage and bravery and unfailing assistance, with complete disregard for her own safety».