MLW Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 Here are two very naive questions - how many Croix de Guerre were issued during the war and is there a complete list of recipients? Regards, Marc
ccj Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 I would be surprised if a list exist but I may be wrong.
Chris Boonzaier Posted January 1, 2013 Posted January 1, 2013 Here are two very naive questions - how many Croix de Guerre were issued during the war and is there a complete list of recipients? Regards, Marc Hi, I am pretty sure not... they were awarded at Army, Brigade, Divisional, Regt and in some cases even battalion level... I have never seen any mention of a central register... even then, I have a couple of groups with guys who got 8 citations, each wozuld have been an award on its own in the USSR system... even the Regt war diaries dont have the awards listed. best chris
Vanuatu Blue Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 This is a great thread, thought I would add a few from my small collection. Below is awarded to Sgt Major Paul Ferdinand Legraverend of the 48th Regt of Infantry 1 leaf and 2 stars on the cross.
Vanuatu Blue Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 This frame has the awards of two brothers both killed in action. Emmanuel Joseph Marcel Piron 91st Regt Infantry KIA 1st March 1915. Louie Jean marie Piron 130th Regt Infantry KIA 28th March 1918.
Vanuatu Blue Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 (edited) This is an interesting one awarded to Edouard Ferdinand Benoit.of the 19th Escadron du Tain des Equipages Militaires.Attached to the British Army. If anyone can do a translation of the citation would be nice. Edited February 5, 2013 by Vanuatu Blue
Chris Boonzaier Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 This is a great thread, thought I would add a few from my small collection. Below is awarded to Sgt Major Paul Ferdinand Legraverend of the 48th Regt of Infantry 1 leaf and 2 stars on the cross. Hi, can you post a close up of the text of the citation?
Vanuatu Blue Posted February 5, 2013 Posted February 5, 2013 Hi Chris, I believe if you click the attached picture it will zoom much larger, you should be able to read then. Regards, Brian.
Chris Boonzaier Posted February 6, 2013 Posted February 6, 2013 The Benoit one is a very unusual one, he seems to have beena liason Agent/Messenger attacheed to the British officer responsible for the protection of Monumants and works of art. He carried out the duties through Heavy Bombardment. I would be really curious waht the Legraverend one says, but it does not open up big enough to read the citation. best Chris
Vanuatu Blue Posted February 7, 2013 Posted February 7, 2013 Hi Chris, yes the Benoit frame is most interesting, i'll try and find out more !!! have posted a close up of the Legraverend citation, translation would be nice, if possible, thanks.
Chris Boonzaier Posted February 9, 2013 Posted February 9, 2013 Hi, he was a hardy go getter who in operations with 2 half sections assured the succes of 2 operations that killed 6 and took 5 POWs, then killed 2 and took 3 POWs. Really nice citation!!
Chris Boonzaier Posted February 9, 2013 Posted February 9, 2013 Seems to have been on the Ailette river at the time, near Manicamp a fantastic piece... i would back flip for it!
Vanuatu Blue Posted February 13, 2013 Posted February 13, 2013 Hi Chris, Thanks for the translation, very nice indeed, if I ever want to part with him i will let you know. Here is another from my small collection to sergeant Paul-Pierre Ringenbach, 3rd Battalion African Infantry ? KIA 19th May 1916 at Verdun ? Have added a close up of the citation. Best wishes, Brian.
Chris Boonzaier Posted February 13, 2013 Posted February 13, 2013 Hard to read... does it say Cote 304? Cant see in the shadow.... This is also fantastic.... 3 BILA.... or "Bat d'af" http://www.kaiserscross.com/183501/183564.html I have an officers group to them somewhere........ I think 3 BILA as well
Chris Boonzaier Posted February 13, 2013 Posted February 13, 2013 I think it must be 304, fighting in the Bois at avocourt and Bois Camard.... Here is one to a soldier who fought in the same area a couple of years later.... http://www.kaiserscross.com/40029/180901.html
Vanuatu Blue Posted February 13, 2013 Posted February 13, 2013 Chef de Bataillon Achille Léonard Boniface Villermain. French ArmyAwards. France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, 5th Class, silver, gold and enamel, severe enamel damage. Order of Agricultural Merit, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel. Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, bronze star on ribbon. Colonial Medal 1893, 1 clasp, Tunisie. (Clip reverse). War Commemorative Medal 1914-18. Victory Medal 1914-18, official type. French Society of War Wounded Medal 1864-66, silver. ‘U.N.C.’ Medal. Belgium, Order of Leopold I, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel. Belgiam, Order of the Crown, Officer’s breast badge, gilt base metal and enamel. Romania, War Commemorative Cross 1916-18, no clasp. Achille Léonard Boniface Villermain was born in Antibes, Alpes Maritimes, on 14 February 1848. He volunteered for military service in Paris on 5 February 1866. He attained the rank of Sergeant-Major in 1869 and in the following year was commissioned Adjutant and Sous Lieutenant. Promoted to Captain in 1883, he subsequently served as Acting Major and latterly attained the rank of Chef de Bataillon of Infantry. With a quantity of original documents and papers, approximately 36, including: Service Book, recording Villermain originally in the 3rd Regiment de Voltigeurs, Garde Impériale; Wound Certificate 1886; notification of the award of the Legion of Honour, dated 1890; Colonial Medal award document, dated 1894; commission documents; military certificates. Retired around 1901 but recalled for WWI service. This post completes my small collection of Croix de Guerre so far, will add to it slowly when items come up.
Vanuatu Blue Posted February 13, 2013 Posted February 13, 2013 (edited) thanks for your imput Chris much appreciated. Yes it does indeed say Cote 304 His Regiment says : 3 Bataillon de marche d'infanterie legere d'Afrique. Best, Brian. Edited February 13, 2013 by Vanuatu Blue
Vanuatu Blue Posted February 13, 2013 Posted February 13, 2013 Hi Chris, None of his paper that I have actually cover his WWI service, how would I be able to find out ? Best, Brian.
Vanuatu Blue Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 here's one i picked up the other day. Chris any way of finding Villermain's WWI service. Best, Brian.
Chris Boonzaier Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 thanks for your imput Chris much appreciated. Yes it does indeed say Cote 304 His Regiment says : 3 Bataillon de marche d'infanterie legere d'Afrique. Best, Brian. That is a veeeery cool unit.... basically a penal battalion...
Chris Boonzaier Posted February 19, 2013 Posted February 19, 2013 Defontains Regiment was at Verdun Feb-April 1916... At Cote du Poivere, Bras, Froideterre... Here is a diary of the German officer in the same sector, same time.. http://www.kaiserscross.com/136501/424001.html
gth94 Posted March 1, 2013 Posted March 1, 2013 Hello, You can find here 15 documents about A. Villermain. http://www.culture.gouv.fr/public/mistral/leonore_fr Goodbye
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