Sister risked her life to shelter Jewish family

Sister Agnes put her own safety at risk to shelter a Jewish family in Nazi-occupied France, her great nephew said

The story of a Hull-born woman who risked her life to hide a Jewish family in Nazi-occupied France is the subject of a new exhibition.

Clare Walsh was born in Hull in 1896 and later entered the Daughters of Charity, becoming Sister Agnes Walsh.

During the war, Sister Agnes, along with Mother Superior Sister Granier, helped hide a Jewish family named Cremieux at the St Vincent de Paul convent in Cadouin, south west France.

Alain Cremieux, who was aged seven at the time, will be attending the exhibition, which takes place at Hull History Centre from 9-20 September and is curated by Sister Agnes's great nephew, Ian Judson.

In December 1943, Alain's father had gone to the convent to ask for help after the Nazi's intensified their search for Jewish people living in the area.

After failed attempts to place the children with local families, Sister Agnes urged Sister Granier to shelter the family, who also included Alain's younger twin siblings.

"She was taking the most horrendous risks because they were just a few hours down the road from a certain man called Klaus Barbie - who was known as the Butcher of Lyon," Mr Judson said.

He said his great aunt also ensured Alain received an education, despite not knowing if any of them would survive the war.

Sister Agnes was later awarded the Righteous Among the Nations - a distinction given to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust.

In 2017, Sister Agnes, who died in 1993, was honoured with a plaque in her home town.

Mr Judson has also written a book about her life - Auntie Ada: The Unlikeliest Hero of the Holocaust.

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