Louise Magadur

Magadur was born on 21 April 1899 in Pont-Croix in Finistère, France.[1] Her father was a miller and she was the fourth child of a family of six.[1] She learnt to be a seamstress and moved to Paris in 1924, where she offered hairdressings lessons.[1] In 1942 she opened a hairdressing salon in the 12th arrondissement.[1]

Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, Magadur was active in the Communist Party.[1] She became a member of the National Front for the Fight for the Liberation and Independence of France (Front National) and was an active member of the Resistance.[2] Her salon became the respectable cover for activities including leaflet distribution, letter exchange and the creation of disguises for members.[2] She also encouraged others to join the fight, including Suzanne Lasne.[3]

On 9 March 1942, she was arrested by the French police and was held in solitary confinement until 24 August 1942.[1] She was then sent to Fort Romainville, which was under German administration; there she discovered the news that both her mother and sister had died.[2] From Romainville she was transported on 24 January 1943 in what became known as the convoi des 31,000 (Convoy 31000) - all of whom were sent to Auschwitz.[1] Many of those in the convoy were Communist Party members.[2] On 4 August 1944 she was deported to Ravensbrück.[1] On 5 March 1945 she was moved to Mathausen.[1]

Magadur was released from Mathausen on 22 April 1945.[1] Six months after her release, Magadur was able to reopen her hair salon, despite the fact that she found readjusting to life difficult.[1] By the time of her death, she was the oldest survivor of 'Convoy 31,000' and was the only woman who was transported on it, born before 1900, to return.[1]

There is a playground dedicated to Louise Magadur in her hometown of Pont-Croix, which was named as a tribute to her.[4]

• Convoi des 31000