DMcNay Posted 8 August , 2017 Share Posted 8 August , 2017 (edited) I'm researching the WW1 dead of the Anglo-South American Bank, and up to now they've all been British soldiers. This man is the first French casualty I've had to research, and I'm struggling a little since I don't know French very well. Is there a kind soul who can look at this document and help me with translation and further information? Does this form advise where he is buried? If not, how would I find that out? Thanks in advance. Edited 8 August , 2017 by DMcNay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 9 August , 2017 Share Posted 9 August , 2017 (edited) Phillipe Jean Paul Walther, Corporal, 39th Regiment of Infantry, Service Number 7398. Enlisted Seine (=Paris) "Died for France" (Mort pour la France), 20th February 1916. -on the field of battle at Souchez (?), Pas-de-Calais. Shot..(Can't make how with certainty) Born 10. December 1885 at Bischwiller, Department- Bas-Rhin (Lower Rhine) Lived in the 15th Arrondisement of Paris Interestingly, your man is German- Born in Alsace-Lorraine when it was part of the German Reich. Bischwiller is north of Strasbourg. Killed at Souchez, which is roughly between Arras and Lens, not that far from Vimy- a reminder that areas of the Western Front whose names are part of the tragic history of Britain's involvement on the Western Front usually had substantial French army casualties in the same places. Edited 9 August , 2017 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMcNay Posted 9 August , 2017 Author Share Posted 9 August , 2017 Much appreciated, thanks. Any thoughts as to where he might be buried or commemorated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fullscott Posted 9 August , 2017 Share Posted 9 August , 2017 (edited) "Died at ABLAIN, on the Souchez battlefield, Pas de Calais". Ablain St Nazaire is north of Arras, west of Lens (& Vimy). There is a large French Military Cemetery - "Notre Dame de Lorette", so that's probably where the search should start. (His first name is PHILIPPE - one L, 2 P's) (By the way, cause of death is not mentioned. "Tue a l'ennemi" just means "Killed by the enemy") Jane Edited 9 August , 2017 by fullscott Additional info (name spelling) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mva Posted 9 August , 2017 Share Posted 9 August , 2017 (edited) He was born in Alsace, but probably had gone to Paris, because he was enlisted there. It seems he enlisted under an other name : " Je recherche la fiche Matricule 4001 classe 1905 Recrutement Seine 2ème Bureau de WALTHER Philippe Jean Paul - engagé sous le nom de ROLLIN Paul né le 10.12.1885 Bishwiller (Bas Rhin) et décédé le 20.02.1916 à Ablain-Saint-Nazaire dans le Pas de Calais Fils de Philippe Walther (Médecin) x Tussing Marie Emilie . " I found this in a genealogy forum : http://www.geneanet.org/forum/?topic=559643.0 This person wants to have his military file. For most of French soldiers the files can be found on the internet, but they haven't been digitalized in Paris, one has to go to the Archives in Paris and search ... At least you know his father was named Philippe too edit : but I could not find him here : http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/arkotheque/client/mdh/sepultures_guerre/index.php So I suppose that he is one of the many unknown soldiers in the ossuaries ( https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nécropole_nationale_de_Notre-Dame-de-Lorette#Les_ossuaires ) Edited 9 August , 2017 by mva supplement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMcNay Posted 9 August , 2017 Author Share Posted 9 August , 2017 This looks like him here: http://www.memoiredeshommes.sga.defense.gouv.fr/fr/arkotheque/client/mdh/sepultures_guerre/detail_fiche.php?ref=2328384&debut=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mva Posted 10 August , 2017 Share Posted 10 August , 2017 the link shows the 'search' form, but not the result - or is it my computer ? Perhaps you could show a screenshot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted 10 August , 2017 Share Posted 10 August , 2017 14 minutes ago, mva said: the link shows the 'search' form, but not the result - or is it my computer ? Perhaps you could show a screenshot Same here- No result comes up for him by name. No result by his "nom-de-guerre" Paul Rollin (2 casualties of that name, 1914 and 1918). No result searching on his date of birth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie962 Posted 10 August , 2017 Share Posted 10 August , 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mva Posted 10 August , 2017 Share Posted 10 August , 2017 @charlie962 : bravo ! @DMcNay : should I ask in 'my' French forum if somebody can take a picture of his grave ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMcNay Posted 10 August , 2017 Author Share Posted 10 August , 2017 charlie beat me to the screenshot, thanks for that. mva- yes please, if someone could obtain a photo of his grave that would be very much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMcNay Posted 1 September , 2019 Author Share Posted 1 September , 2019 A little update to this thread, and a belated thanks to everyone who assisted. I have now received a photograph of this man: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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