Perhaps you’ve never considered the life of a White Russian émigré in Lyon. The Alexis Chapochnikoff Plaque commemorates such a life. It honors a man who chose to fight for France.
Alexis Chapochnikoff was born in 1893 in what is now Dnipro, Ukraine. The Russian Revolution forced his family to flee. He had served as a cavalry officer in the Russian army during World War I.
In 1939, Alexis married Vera Tapissier in Lyon. She was also of Russian origin. The marriage certificate lists him as a taxi driver. His wife was a hat maker. They lived on Rue Florent and had two children.
When World War II broke out, Alexis volunteered to fight the Germans. Later, he joined the Carmagnole battalion of the FTP-MOI. He participated in propaganda operations. These aimed to encourage White Russians in the German army to desert.
On July 19, 1944, the Gestapo arrested Alexis in Lyon. Someone likely denounced him. He was tortured and imprisoned at Montluc prison. On August 20, 1944, Alexis was executed at Fort de Côte-Lorette. About 120 others were killed with him. They included women, men, Jews, and resistance fighters.
France recognized Alexis Chapochnikoff’s sacrifice. He was posthumously awarded the “Mort pour la France” designation. He was also recognized as a member of the French Forces of the Interior. His name appears on the Martyrs’ tomb in Saint-Genis-Laval. It is also on a commemorative plaque in Lyon’s 8th arrondissement. This plaque before you is a testament to his courage.
Alexis and his sister Ducia never saw each other again after their emigration. Descendants of Alexis and Ducia searched for each other. They finally reunited in 2011. This plaque not only honors Alexis Chapochnikoff. It also celebrates the enduring power of family. It reminds us of the human cost of war and oppression. Alexis Chapochnikoff’s story is one of resilience. It is a story of resistance and ultimate sacrifice.