VICTOR EDGAR FAGENCE Research

[Dave66]

37 minutes ago, charlie962 said:

couldn't see Victor on the 1939 Register. Was he back in the military ? Might there be an MoD retained Service File (nothing obvious on the Ancestry index for Fagence) ?

On the ancestry family tree there are a couple of images of him in uniform, one being in home guard uniform...snap below showing insignia in the hope someone will pinpoint the exact home guard unit.

 

Dave. 

[PRC]

This probably duplicates whats on the family tree on Ancestry, but here goes anyway.

 

The only likely birth record in England & Wales is that of a Victor Edgar Fagence whose birth was registered with the Civil Authorities in the Chertsey Civil Registration District of Surrey in the October to December quarter, (Q4) of 1897. The most likely death of that man didn’t occur until 1987, by which time the published quarterly death index for England & Wales also included the date of birth – in his case the 1st October 1897.

 

The baptismal register entry has already been supplied by Dave above.

 

This shows him as born on the 1st October 1897 and baptised on the 6th March 1898 at Pyrford, Surrey. His parents were George, a Farmer, and Ada Mercy (?).

 

On the 1901 Census of England and Wales, the 3 year old Victor Fagence, born Pyrford, Surrey, was recorded living at Church Farm, Pyrford. This was the household of his parents, George, (aged 54, a Farmer, born Pyrford) and Ada M., (aged 36, born Bristol, Somerset).

(Given their relatives ages and the age of the children in the household, I would suspect Ada is a second wife.

Living with them are children:-

Albert……..aged 18……born Maybury, Working….Farm Labourer

Arthur……..aged 15……born Maybury, Woking…..Farm Labourer

Florence…..aged 11…….born Pyrford

Harold…….aged 9………born Pyrford

Christopher…aged 8…….born Pyrford

Ethel………aged 7……...born Pyrford

Sidney…….aged 1………born Pyrford

Living with them is an unmarried niece, Rose Pearson, aged 22, born Bristol, Somerset, working as a Nursemaid and also a boarder.

Birth records show Albert, (Q2 1882), Arthur, (Q4 1887), Florence (Q4 1889), all with no additional name.

There is no obvious Harold, but there is a George Henry, (Chertsey, Q4 1892), Christopher Clarence V., (Chertsey, Q2 1892), Ethel Gertrude, (Chertsey Q1 1894, mothers’ maiden name Williams), and Sydney James, (Chertsey Q3 1899).

 

The family were still at Church Farm, Pyrford, on the 1911 Census of England & Wales, but the head of the household is the 65 year old widowed Market Gardener, George. George doesn’t state how long he has been married or how many children he has had. Living with him is a 64 year old widowed housekeeper, Harriet Jane Callaghan, born Wanbourne, Surrey, and his children  Arthur, (25, Nurseryman (?) on farm), Florence, (21, Assisting in House), Harold, (19. Gardeners Labourer), Ethel, (17, Domestic Servant), Victor, (13, at school), and Sidney, (11, at School)

 

Just to fill in the gaps – on the 1891 Census of England and Wales, father George was married to an Emily Fagence, aged 40 and born Pyrford, Surrey. Children listed living with them that are not recorded on subsequent censuses are Alfred, (18, born Send, Surrey), Ellen, (14, born Maybury, Surrey), William, (11, born Maybury, Surrey) and Kate, (7, born Maybury, Surrey). Birth records show Alfred, (Q4 1873), Ellen, (Q1 1877), William, (Q3 1880) and Kate, (Q2 1884) all with no middle names.

 

The death of a 40 year old Emily Fagence was recorded in the Chertsey District of Surrey in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1892.

 

The marriage of a George Fagener to an Ada Mercy Williams was recorded in the Chertsey District of Surrey in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1893.

 

The death of an Ada Mercy Fagence, aged 40, was recorded in the Chertsey District in the January to March quarter, (Q1), of 1905

 

Family in the Great War.

 

There is no-one with the surname Fagence on the Pyrford, Surrey, War Memorial.

https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/238801

No obvious match for any of the brothers on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

 

Possibly worth investigating further.

Driver 155584 Arthur Fagence, Royal Field Artillery. VM & BWM only.

Private GS/51567 William Fagence, Royal Fusiliers. SWB, VM & BWM.

Lance Corporal S/6144 Harold Fagence, 1st The Queens Regiment. 1914 Star & Clasp, VM & BWM.

Private G/36859 Sydney J. Fagence, Royal Sussex Regiment. VM & BWM only.

 

Familysearch website says there are surviving papers from 1917 for a 34 year old Albert Fagence, born Woking, Surrey. He was presumably UK only service with the 776th Mechanical Transport Company, Army Service Corps. Service number was T/4196416.

 

Victor’s service.

 

The description of his oral history recording at the Imperial War Museum gives the following.

 

REEL 1 Recollections of training with B Coy, 10th Bn Queen's Royal West Surrey Regt at Battersea Park, London and Albuehra Barracks, Aldershot, 12/1915-5/1916: reasons for volunteering; uniform; drill; bayonet drill and question of relevance; experience of NCOs and officers; trench construction. Aspects of period with 12th Bn Queen's Royal West Surrey Regt at Northampton, 5/1916-12/1916: question of underage status and age required for active service overseas; reduced medical category. REEL 2 Recollections of operations with 11th Bn Queen's Royal West Surrey Regt in front of Messines Ridge, Ypres area, Belgium, 12/1916-4/1917: journey out to join unit at Alberta Camp, Reninghelst, 12/1916; description of route into front line in St Eloi sector including first experience of German shell fire at Scottish Wood and ignorance of communication trenches; front line relief system; sniper problem; wet conditions and use of trench waders; rat and lice problems; cold conditions; lack of sleep; stand to. REEL 3 Continues: night sentry duty; food rations; water supply; ration parties; differing nature of German shellfire on front and support lines; carrying parties; working parties building trenches under supervision of Royal Engineers; question of small arms fire reaching reserve trenches at Dickebusch; dugouts; opinion of Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery; cold conditions. REEL 4 Continues: cold conditions and use of whale oil to prevent trench feet; heavy German shellfire during attempted raid by neighbouring 10th Bn Queen's Royal West Surrey Regt, 2/1917; German high velocity shells; shellfire in open ground; background to selection as Lewis gun ammunition carrier; role of Lewis gun team members; weight of equipment and ammunition carried during attack on Messines Ridge, 7/6/1917; role of Lewis gun Number One. Preparations for Battle of Messines, 4/1917-6/1917: tactical training during rest period at Houlle, 4/1917; battlefield models. REEL 5 Continues: battlefield models; plan to capture Damstrasse strongpoint; tunnelling operations. Recollections of attack on Messines Ridge, 7/6/1917: move up and organisation of attack into waves of infantry; temporary suspension of artillery bombardment immediately prior to zero hour at 03.10; personal morale; attack across No Man's Land; difficulties with German barbed wire; capture of Damstrasse strongpoint; digging new front line trench; digging forward Lewis gun post and story of accidentally coming under fire from British troops; reasons for not consolidating old German positions; personal morale. REEL 6 Recollections of operations in Ypres area, 6/1917-7/1917: increase in German long range shelling; enfilading fire on British positions in Ypres salient; ground conditions and question of artillery success in clearing barbed wire; personal morale; problems caused by German concrete pillboxes. Recollections of attack in Battle Wood sector, 31/7/1917: casualties whilst lying on start lines; advance across No Man's Land and capture of German first lines; delay in attack on German pillbox whilst waiting for artillery to lift barrage and consequent casualties; ground conditions effect on pace of advance; taking shelter in shell hole and close escape from German hand grenade; taking shelter in wood hut; stoppage whilst firing Lewis gun. REEL 7 Continues: Lewis gun jammed by mud; story of being wounded by German machine gun fire whilst crossing open ground; initial treatment by stretcher bearer in shell hole; treatment at advanced dressing station and question of priority for serious wounds; evacuation as walking wounded to Ypres/Comines Canal. Evacuation in stages and hospitalisation in GB, 8/1917-9/1917: question of civilian knowledge of war; hospital uniform. Aspects of period at Shoreham by Sea Convalescent Camp, 9/1917-12/1917: grading of medical condition. REEL 8 Continues: grading of medical condition; question of medical officer passing unfit men as A1 at medical boards; ruse to avoid being passed A1 a medical board; duties depending on medical grading; training. Aspects of operations with 1st Bn Queen's Royal West Surrey Regt in Ypres area, 1/1918-3/1918: ground conditions; accuracy of German ranging on communications routes; use of shell hole posts to form front line; latrines; use of solidified methylated spirits to boil water for tea. Reactions to Armistice, 11/11/1918. Question of reaction to delay before demobilisation, 5/1919.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80000326

 

So it seems the order of Battalions on the Service Medal Roll may even be oldest first.

 

Post War.

 

The marriage of a Victor E Fagence to a Jane White was recorded in the Guildford District of Surrey in the October to December quarter of 1921.

 

Likely children of this couple, all recorded in the Guildford District with mothers maiden name White, are:

Bessie M I….(Q4 1921)

Kathleen R….(Q1 1927)

Dennis F…….(Q4 1929)

 

The death of a Victor Edgar Fagence, born 1st October 1897, was recorded in the Surrey North Western District in Q2 of 1987. There is no obvious Civil Probate for him

 

The death of a Jane Fagence, born 27th March 1899, was recorded in the Surrey North Western District in Q4 1979. There is no obvious Civil Probate for her.

 

A search of the 1939 National Register for her or their children might bring up Victor.

 

Hope that helps,

Peter

 

[Pat Atkins]

Might tie in: there was a 10th Bn Home Guard based on Chertsey and Egham; the Home Guard patch in the WW2 photo seems to say SV? above numeral 10.

 

WW2Talk forum will know more, I'd think.

Edited 24 July , 2019 by Pat Atkins
add link

[PRC]

1 minute ago, Pat Atkins said:

Might tie in: there was a 10th Bn Home Guard based on Chertsey and Egham; the Home Guard patch in the WW2 photo seems to say SV? above numeral 10.

 

WW2Talk forum will know more, I'd think.

May be my elderly eyes but I was seeing it as "SY" i.e Surrey.

 

The family history piece I've just posted provides a lot of links to the Chertsey District.

 

Cheers,

Peter

[Dave66]

He is on the 39 register but very badly transcribed as election fagence...last entry on a damaged page so not possible to determine address. Following page first entry is Jane, confirming a birthdate of 27-3-99.

record is here with extracts below..https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=jQv3&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&indiv=1&dbid=61596&gsln=Fagence&gsfn_x=NN&gsln_x=1&cp=0&msbdy=1897&msbdy_x=1&msbdp=1&new=1&rank=1&uidh=l37&redir=false&gss=angs-d&pcat=35&fh=1&h=191653&recoff=&ml_rpos=2

 

Night all,

Dave.

[Pat Atkins]

Yes, you're right Peter - SY it is, surely Surrey. And the Chertsey connection does make it plausible.

 

Cheers, Pat

[PRC]

8 hours ago, Dave66 said:

He is on the 39 register but very badly transcribed as election fagence...last entry on a damaged page so not possible to determine address. Following page first entry is Jane, confirming a birthdate of 27-3-99.

record is here with extracts below..https://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=jQv3&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&indiv=1&dbid=61596&gsln=Fagence&gsfn_x=NN&gsln_x=1&cp=0&msbdy=1897&msbdy_x=1&msbdp=1&new=1&rank=1&uidh=l37&redir=false&gss=angs-d&pcat=35&fh=1&h=191653&recoff=&ml_rpos=2

 

Night all,

Dave.

 

Both "Electon" and "Jacy" (Victor and Jane) are shown on the 1939 National Census as living in household 180 in that particular sub-district, (the household number would have been arbitrary rather than a particular address. It formed part of their ID and Ration Card Number and subsequently their NHS number.) There is then a gap of three closed record before you get to an entry that is person 1 in household 181.

 

So all the three closed records were living with Victor and Jane. While they could be lodgers, boarders, servants or people with other relationships to the couple, (think brother, sister, mother, father, niece, nephew, etc), the most likely scenario is that it is the three potential children identified from the civil birth records. Their ages then would have been Bessie 17 or 18, Kathleen, 12, and Dennis 9 or 10.

 

The most common reason for a record to be closed is that the individual wasn't known to be dead when the NHS stopped updating the register circa 1991 and was still under 100 years old when information started to be released post 2010. I suspect the three children would have matched both criteria for keeping their records closed.

 

8 hours ago, Pat Atkins said:

Yes, you're right Peter - SY it is, surely Surrey. And the Chertsey connection does make it plausible.

 

Cheers, Pat

 

 

I love it when a plan comes together. (Note to self - postpone booking a sight test for another three months

 

Cheers,

Peter

Edited 25 July , 2019 by PRC
Typo

[Dave66]

From the ancestry family tree, only two children are noted...Kathleen 1927-2002, and Denis frederick 1929-2009....but one more kept private.

Siblings as follows

Birth of Half-Brother Victor Fagence(1898–)

1898

 

Birth of Brother Sidney James Fagence(1899–1989)

1899 • Pyrford, Surrey, England

 

Birth of Half-Brother Sidney Fagence(1900–)

abt 1900 • Pyrford, Surrey, England

 

Death of Half-Sister Ellen Fagence(1874–1938)

Mar 1938 • Surrey North Western RD, Surrey, England

 

Death of Half-Sister Alice Fagence(1871–1944)

16 Feb 1944 • The City General Hospital, Leicester, Leicestershire, England

 

Death of Half-Brother George Fagence(1868–1949)

Dec 1949 • Surrey North Western, Surrey, England

 

Death of Half-Brother Albert Fagence(1882–1955)

Mar 1955 • Surrey South Western, Surrey, England

 

Death of Half-Brother Alfred Fagence(1873–1955)

Jun 1955 • Surrey South Western, Surrey, England

 

Death of Half-Brother William Fagence(1880–1963)

Mar 1963 • Surrey North Western, Surrey, England

 

Death of Half-Sister Florence Fagence(1889–1964)

7 Apr 1964 • Woking, Surrey, England

 

Death of Half-Sister Kate Fagence(1884–1973)

Sep 1973 • Midhurst, Sussex, England

 

Death of Half-Brother Christopher Clarence Victor Fagence(1892–1975)

Jun 1975 • Manchester, Greater Manchester, England

 

Death of Half-Brother Arthur Fagence(1886–1970)

1Q 1970 • Knaphill, Woking, Surrey, England

[PRC]

21 hours ago, Pat Atkins said:

Might be irrelevant, in which case do please ignore, but...

 

Any relation to Sydney Fagence, an old soldier (3rd Hussars) who enlisted in The Queen's in August 1914, then was transferred to Suffolks, Northamptons and Labour Corps? I only ask because he has a service record on Ancestry I came across while looking for your man, he came from Surrey, and it's an uncommon name. Sydney F was born in Chertsey, married to Kate and had 4 kids (one called Maurice Edgar Fagence, maybe just coincidence). Was 38 in 1914 and living in Woking, seems to have been a Boer War veteran.

 

The only likely match in the civil birth records for a Sydney Fagence born circa 1876, (so 38 in 1914) was that of a Sydney Walter Fagence. His birth was registered in the Chertsey District of Surrey in the April to June quarter of 1876. There is a 3 year Sydney on the 1881 Census, and a 37 year old Sydney Walter on the 1911 Census, both times born Chertsey. His parents were a James, (aged 34, born Pyrford) and Anna on the 1881 census. Wife of Sydney Walter in 1911 was Kate and at that stage the couple have 3 children, including the 6 year old Maurice Edgar. However as the youngest was 11 months there could have been another child to come.

 

Following his father James back to his own apearances as a child on earlier census, in 1851 the most likely family is recorded as Fagens and includes James, (6), and George, (4). Both were born Pyrford. George has to be a prime candidate for the father of Victor. If that is correct then Victor and Sydney Walter were paternal cousins rather than brothers, (or half brothers, or step-brothers, etc, etc :-)

 

On a seperate note, I keep forgetting to add that I'm sure FindMyPast has a recordset from an organisation called something like the Surrrey History Centre which has Great War enlistment records for the men from the county - I can't remember if it's all regiments/corps or just specifically Surrey related ones. What they hold for each man varies but what has been transcribed usually has more, or at least different information, than is normally on the likes of CWGC and SDGW and covers those who survived as well as those who died.

 

Cheers,

Peter

[Tomb1302]

Pat, Peter, Dave, and all who helped,

 

Thank you all for your continued support and help in finding this man. My friend has told me that before yesterday, 'Victor Fagence' she only knew by name.

 

She is overwhelmed - Thank you all for your help!

Edited 25 July , 2019 by Tomb1302

[PRC]

When I was trying to put together a family history last night and before I read that there were recordings of Victors' war time memories at the Imperial War Museum, I started to put together a list of men with nearby service numbers to see if that route could be used to find out about Victors' Army career.  I'll add the list here, which I've cross-checked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, as evidence of how lucky Victor was to have survived. Those men who changed Infantry units most likely did so because they had recovered from wounds or a serious illness \ accident.

 

G/10067 Henry D Freeman

G/10068 Charles T Fountain. Died 17/09/1916. 10th Bn. Thiepval Memorial.

G/10069 Thomas Davis. Died 17/09/1916. 10th Bn. Thiepval Memorial.

G/10070 William R. Hayler. Died 18/08/1917 10th Bn. Buried France.

G/10073 Charles A E Andrews

10074 T. Dunke then 145569 Royal Air Force.

G/10075 George Williams

10076 Henry T Shapley then 302738 Royal Scots.

G/10079 George C. Ireland

G/10080 Cecil H Brading

-

G/10082 Stephen Helps. Died 07/06/1917 10th Bn. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

G/10083 Ernest Salt then 30950 Scottish Rifles.

G/10084 Albert E Lobb

G/10085 Lewis P Lagomanisino.

GS/10086 Jesse Holdforth then 43242 North Staffordshire Regiment and GS/141892 Royal Fusiliers. SWB List.

G/10087 William Thomas King. Died 22/09/1917 B Coy, 10th Bn. Tyne Cot Memorial.

G/10088 Ernest Sole. Died 26/03/1918 10th Bn. Arras Memorial.

G/10089 James O R Clarke.

G/10090 W E Eley. (No MiC). 3rd Bn. Died UK 07/08/1918.

G/10091 Frederick J Benford. Died 07/10/1916. 10th Bn. Buried France.

 

CWGC also has G/10088 Thomas Slaughter. Died 22/03/1918. 10th Bn. Arras Memorial. But on closer inspection, this should be G/10066 according to the Grave Register document on the same webpage and confimed by the MiC.

 

All of them qualified for the Victory Medal (VM) and British War Medal, (BWM), but no other service medals.

 

Cheers,

Peter

Edited 25 July , 2019 by PRC
Typo

[charlie962]

Peter, you have gone in to impressive detail on this thread. Well done. Charlie

1 hour ago, PRC said:

I'm sure FindMyPast has a recordset from an organisation called something like the Surrrey History Centre

They do have specific Surrey Recruitlment and RWS records but I only saw hits for an Albert Fagence within them.

[PRC]

18 minutes ago, charlie962 said:

Peter, you have gone in to impressive detail on this thread. Well done. Charlie

They do have specific Surrey Recruitlment and RWS records but I only saw hits for an Albert Fagence within them.

 

Thanks for checking Charlie.

 

And as always it's a team effort. Much of what I've written could have been full of "mights", "could of" and "may be's" if it hadn't been for the sterling contribution of everyone involved.

 

Cheers,

Peter

[Tomb1302]

1 hour ago, PRC said:

When I was trying to put together a family history last night and before I read that there were recordings of Victors' war time memories at the Imperial War Museum, I started to put together a list of men with nearby service numbers to see if that route could be used to find out about Victors' Army career.  I'll add the list here, which I've cross-checked with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, as evidence of how lucky Victor was to have survived. Those men who changed Infantry units most likely did so because they had recovered from wounds or a serious illness \ accident.

 

Peter, this is fantastic. I'll be closely following the progress should you continue.

 

Thank you.

[Tomb1302]

40 minutes ago, PRC said:

And as always it's a team effort. Much of what I've written could have been full of "mights", "could of" and "may be's" if it hadn't been for the sterling contribution of everyone involved.

This I absolutely agree with.

 

Thanks for confirming Peter's work Charlie, you've been indispensable as well in helping find this man!

[Dave66]

1 hour ago, charlie962 said:

Peter, you have gone in to impressive detail on this thread. Well done. Charlie

I agree, it’s all the little bits that you’ve added that turn this into a very interesting life story of victor..

 

Dave.

[Tomb1302]

1 minute ago, Dave66 said:

I agree, it’s all the little bits that you’ve added that turn this into a very interesting life story of victor..

Dave, I must thank you as well as you helped bring to life Victor, and, finally helped myself and my friend see him 'in the flesh'.

 

I could only wish the same was possible for my own ancestors.

Edited 25 July , 2019 by Tomb1302

[charlie962]

1 minute ago, Tomb1302 said:

I could only wish the same was possible for my own ancestors.

Don't forget that the various source sites are continually adding info and always worth going back over research after a year or two.

[Tomb1302]

8 minutes ago, charlie962 said:

Don't forget that the various source sites are continually adding info and always worth going back over research after a year or two. 

I don't believe any of these sites help find French soldiers, do they...?

 

Aren't these all British sites?

[charlie962]

Yes, British sites.

The excellent start point for French soldiers is , of course, pages14-18

 I'm sure the same applies for them, particularly departmental Matriculation registers

 

Charlie

[Tomb1302]

5 minutes ago, charlie962 said:

Yes, British sites.

The excellent start point for French soldiers is , of course, pages14-18

 I'm sure the same applies for them, particularly departmental Matriculation registers

 

Charlie

Charlie,

 

Thank you. You are correct, it is a good place to start, and, I've been there before.

 

I have also been able to (completely alone), locate the 'Fiches de Matricule' for 4 of my own ancestors, but, to this day *Except the esteemed General Passaga* I have found no pictures of my own ancestors.

 

Thank you.

Edited 25 July , 2019 by Tomb1302

[Dave66]

23 minutes ago, Tomb1302 said:

Dave, I must thank you as well as you helped bring to life Victor, and, finally helped myself and my friend see him 'in the flesh'.

 

I could only wish the same was possible for my own ancestors.

It was a pleasure to play a small part,

After hitting a very big brick wall with regard my own grandfathers ww1 military records, (even though he was awarded the M.C.) you have my sympathies, but keep trying, you never know.

 

Dave.

 

 

[charlie962]

I think quite a number of Commune histories for the Great War have also been produced, the last lot rushed out in time for Nov 1918 Centenary and they can be an excellent source of photos. Even if a commune hasn't produced a book there seems to be no shortage of local amateur interest. But it is a combination of luck and persistance as always. But I digress...

Charlie

[Tomb1302]

3 minutes ago, Dave66 said:

It was a pleasure to play a small part,

After hitting a very big brick wall with regard my own grandfathers ww1 military records, (even though he was awarded the M.C.) you have my sympathies, but keep trying, you never know.

 

Dave.

I appreciate this Dave.

 

I am already incredibly humbled to have understood and uncovered this much already.

 

1 minute ago, charlie962 said:

I think quite a number of Commune histories for the Great War have also been produced, the last lot rushed out in time for Nov 1918 Centenary and they can be an excellent source of photos. Even if a commune hasn't produced a book there seems to be no shortage of local amateur interest. But it is a combination of luck and persistance as always. But I digress...

Charlie 

I will keep trying Charlie, thank you.

 

In the meantime, I was already very happy to help someone else, as you all have so graciously done!

Edited 25 July , 2019 by Tomb1302

[PRC]

44 minutes ago, Tomb1302 said:

I could only wish the same was possible for my own ancestors.

 

Please, please tell us there are some French-Canadians. Those we can do :-)

 

33 minutes ago, Tomb1302 said:

I don't believe any of these sites help find French soldiers, do they...?

 

Aren't these all British sites?

 

The International Committee of the Red Cross website also covers French soldiers taken prisoner \ reported dead by the Germans and missing persons queries.

 

Start from here https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/ and then change the Nationality to French. The only subset option not covered by the "French Army and Belgian army main file" are those men interned in Switzerland.

 

The family search website, (you have to register for a free account and they have got slightly more fussy since the introduction of European personal data protection but worth persisting), include French Baptisms to 1896  / French Protestant Church Records to 1897 / Paris St Denis Census 1896 and France Rhone Military Registration Cards to 1932. I'm sure there is more - those were just the first four I could spot in a list of recordsets that goes on for hundreds of pages covering all round the globe.

https://www.familysearch.org/search/

 

It's also worth checking out the British newspaper archives. The British Military Press Office seems to have been very strict on handing out press photography permits, so in my experience many of the war photographs used up until 1916 were actually of French units, presumably because these were more freely available. I'm sure many of them are stock images that are now widely available on French sites, particularly the ones that were originally shot in colour. The same will be true of online American, Canadian and Australian newspaper archives.

 

If I tell you any more I'll have no sources left to perform miracles with :-)

 

But this is really another thread, so I won't post anymore on these general sources as there may well be yet more to uncover about Victor.

 

Cheers,

Peter

Edited 25 July , 2019 by PRC
Typo