The Caretakers

The Caretakers

Author: Caitlin Galante DeAngelis

Description:

The Caretakers tells the remarkable, true story of British Imperial War Graves gardeners who remained in France between the world wars and became unlikely heroes during World War II. When Nazi forces overran France in 1940, more than 200 gardeners—many married to local women and raising bilingual families—were ordered to stay at their posts. Some escaped, some were arrested, and a courageous few joined the French Resistance.

Drawing on meticulous research, never-before-published journals and papers, and compassionate storytelling, Caitlin Galante DeAngelis follows three central figures: Ben Leech, a Manchester barman turned cemetery gardener who joined the Resistance; Rosine Witton, the brave wife of a British gardener who served as a key conductor on the Comet Line and survived Ravens-Brück; and Robert Armstrong, an Irish gardener who worked for the Resistance until his capture and death sentence. Many gardeners used their positions—and even the cemeteries themselves—to hide and protect downed British and American airmen, placing themselves and their families in grave danger to save others.

Rich in human detail and historical context, The Caretakers honors the quiet, steadfast loyalty of these guardians of memory and reveals a lesser-known chapter of resistance and rescue in wartime France.

Key Features

• Author: Caitlin Galante DeAngelis
• True stories of Imperial War Graves gardeners who aided the French Resistance and sheltered Allied airmen
• Based on never-before-published journals, papers, and meticulous archival research
• Compelling narratives of Ben Leech, Rosine Witton, and Robert Armstrong
• 360 pages | Hardcover | ISBN 978-1633888999