Labro Jean-François & Henriette

Labro, Jean-François Labro, Henriette Jean-François and Henriette Labro lived with their four children on an estate called Haut Soleil near Montauban (Tarn et Garonne). The Bernarts, Parisian Jews who had fled to the southern zone following an increase in the number of raids, were in search of a safe haven. The father, who did not live with the rest of the family, had mentioned the Labros as a possible source of help. The couple took in the mother, the son, Maurice Bernart, along with two daughters, Claude and Colette, for several days. Jean-François Labro then put them in touch with some neighboring farmers in Saint-Martial who were trusted friends. They remained there for most of the Occupation, under the protection of the Labros, who kept them informed about possible danger. The Labros also lent a hand to other Jews being pursued, notably the family of Pierre Gruneberg, age 12. They hid an Austrian Jew, giving him work on their estate as a gardener, along with Dora Krummer, who joined the household as a domestic servant, posing as a deaf-mute. When the police arrived to arrest Dora, Henriette turned them away. Phillipe Labro, her son who was 11 at the time and witnessed these acts, eventually became a writer and described his recollections in his book, Le petit garçon (The Little Boy). In it, he describes his friendship with Maurice Bernart, the Jewish child who was hidden in his home. The Labros’ assistance helped all their Jewish wards to survive until the Liberation. On August 13, 2000, Yad Vashem recognized Jean-François and Henriette Labro as Righteous Among the Nations.