Hedley Malloch Posted 7 July , 2003 Share Posted 7 July , 2003 Today the Tour de France starts from La Ferté-sous-Jarre en route for Sedan. This is its only contact with the Western Front. It is therefore a fitting day to remember the three Tour de France winners who lost their lives on the Western Front. They were: Lucien Mazan known as the Petit-Breton, died 20 December 1917 at Troyes, the result of an accident at the Ardennes front. Winner 1907 Francoise Faber, died 9 May 1915, Pas-de-Calais. Winner 1908 and the Tour's first foreign winner. Octave Lapize, French Air Force, shot down at Pont à Mousson, 14 July 1917. Winner 1909. I think Faber still holds the record for the most consecutive stage wins (five) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mordac Posted 7 July , 2003 Share Posted 7 July , 2003 Hi Hedley: Will you get a chance to watch any part of this stage of the Tour in person? Garth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul guthrie Posted 7 July , 2003 Share Posted 7 July , 2003 Hedley there is a plaque to one of these men in the chapel at Notre Dame de Lorette pretty sure it's Faber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hedley Malloch Posted 7 July , 2003 Author Share Posted 7 July , 2003 No, I won't get a chance this year. Next year Lille is European City of Culture and Lille has not had a stage for some years, so I would fully expect to see it here next year. I was in La Ferté-sous-Jouarre last weekend; the place was beng done up for its big day and there was quite a party atmosphere. For the Western Front/bike enthusiast there is only one race: the Paris - Roubaix, 'the Hell of the North', 120 miles much of it over pavé in prime Western Front country. Traditionally held in March/April it heralds the opening of the French bike race season. It's usually a good, hard, mud-soaked slog through the rain and in freezing weather; none of your effete messing around in the sun-drenched Pyrénées or Alps here. Paul: I didn't know that; but of course, the dates fit French actions in that area. I wil go over and check it out. Thank you for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul guthrie Posted 7 July , 2003 Share Posted 7 July , 2003 Go to the far end of the chapel to what I think is the altar area, look to the left of that, there it is. Yes Hedley, the date does fit, that's why I said he is the man on the plaque, I do not actually remember the name. On the wall to the right of the chapel about mid way is a most interesting memorial to a civilian woman. You know something, the plaque I mentioned may be at the Rancourt Chapel instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Simon Bull Posted 9 July , 2003 Share Posted 9 July , 2003 This is off topic, but relates to the issues raised in recent postings. I have often wondered how the persons commemorated in the chapel at Notre Dame de Lorette were chosen. To a causal eye the names referred to seem to be randomly chosen. Were they chosen by a Committee, or did families "buy" space? Any information gratefully received. Simon Bull Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andigger Posted 15 July , 2004 Share Posted 15 July , 2004 Hopefully Lance can top his five this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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