Englishman serving in French Army??

[Doug Lewis]

I have been putting together research on a local memorial,during this process I came across a programme regarding a presentation to 59 local men who gained distinction during the war. The men received either M.C., D.C.M., M.S.M. , or M.M.

Looking down the list I came across this entry-

Hubert, Barnard,

Conducteur ,French Army

Medal Militaire and Bars.

Now it's states they were all local Bilston lads so I'm not sure why he would be in the French Army,does anyone think that this maybe him

Medal card of Barnard, Hubert

Corps: French Red Cross

Rank: Driver

1914-1920 WO 372/1 (I don't want to spend money downloading the MIC if possibly the wrong one)

His father was born in Lancashire and his mother Staffordshire,so no French connection there (pardon the pun)

could anyone shed some light on this or where I could go to find out.

Regards Doug.

[TD60]

Hello

I noticed several time this fact.

British members in the french red cross

and I wonder also how it was possible.

Was it a way to avoid to be a real soldier

or on the contrary were they volunteers

before it was mandatory to go into the army ?

Here in La cheppe cemetery

I am not sure at all that "croix rouge" was realy part of the french army.

[TD60]

Another in Pereuse.

With a specific insigna ...

best regards

[CROONAERT]

I noticed several time this fact.

British members in the french red cross

and I wonder also how it was possible.

Was it a way to avoid to be a real soldier

or on the contrary do they were volunteer

before it was mandatory to go into the army ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, they were'nt avoiding anything. Many people whose beliefs or religions forbade them to fight (mormons, quakers, etc) still wished to "do their bit" and so opted to help out by joining humanitarian services at the various fronts. They encountered as many dangers as many of the soldiers and served and died just as bravely.

Dave.

[CROONAERT]

I am not sure at all that "croix rouge" was realy part of the french army.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It wasn't part of any army at all.

Dave.

[Hedley Malloch]

I wonder how common this was? I have a pc in my collection from an Englishman in the French Army to his (married) French girl friend.

[squirrel]

On the War Memorial in Lewisham Cemetery London there is one man whose regiment is given as the French Foreign Legion.