Lionel Wigram (1908–1944) was a British soldier and officer in the Second World War who became notable for his leadership role in the Italian Resistance. Born into a distinguished family, Wigram was the son of a prominent British banker and was educated at prestigious institutions. His early career was in banking, but the outbreak of World War II saw him enlist in the British Army, where he quickly rose through the ranks.
Wigram was assigned to the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a covert British organisation tasked with supporting resistance movements in occupied Europe. His work took him to Italy, where he helped organise and lead Italian Partisan irregulars fighting against Nazi German forces. His leadership, strategic acumen, and deep knowledge of the terrain earned him the respect of the Partisans, with whom he fought in the difficult and dangerous Adriatic coast region.
In 1944, Wigram was leading a group of Partisans near the Sangro River Valley when he was killed in action at the age of 36. His death was a significant loss to the Allied effort in Italy, as he was known for his courage, effectiveness, and deep commitment to the cause of liberation. Despite his relatively short life, his legacy endures in the history of the Italian Resistance and the broader Allied war effort.