“Who are these people?” a child whispers. Let’s uncover the history etched into the Monument aux morts de Montigny-le-Bretonneux War memorial.
This monument stands as a solemn reminder. It commemorates the residents of Montigny who sacrificed their lives in the First and Second World Wars. The Monument aux morts de Montigny-le-Bretonneux was erected on April 30 1922. It was funded by public subscription. Mr. Gastaldi donated the land. The location was at the corner of Rue de l’ancienne Mairie and l’ancienne route de Trappes. Today the Monument aux morts de Montigny-le-Bretonneux is located on Rue de la Mare aux Carats. It stands across from the cemetery.
In 1961, Mr. Audinet documented the history of Montigny-le-Bretonneux. He noted that during the First World War the town paid a heavy price. Twenty-six of its sons fell on the field of honor. The monument was inaugurated on a Sunday. A solemn mass was celebrated for the fallen at 10 am. The curate of Voisin blessed the Monument aux morts de Montigny-le-Bretonneux. The official inauguration took place in the afternoon. Mr. Gilbert the Mayor presided. Also in attendance were Mr. Cast the deputy and Mr. Poupinot the General Councillor. A senior officer representing General Fabia also attended. The mayors of surrounding towns were present. Mr. Gastaldi the land donor attended. Mr. Perreal and Mr. Gaillot were there too. They were members of the Erection Commission.
After a trumpet fanfare school children sang. They performed Victor Hugo’s hymn “to the dead for the Fatherland.” The procession then went to the town hall. A lunch was offered to the guests.
The Monument aux morts de Montigny-le-Bretonneux lists 34 names. Twenty-six soldiers from the Great War are named. Eight soldiers from the Second World War are also remembered.
In 1911 Montigny-le-Bretonneux was a small village. Only 275 people lived there. Camille Jules Herbette described Montigny. His description was in his 1899 monograph. Montigny was primarily an agricultural village. Mr. Gilbert’s farm employed several soldiers. They are listed on the Monument aux morts de Montigny-le-Bretonneux. Jean-Baptiste Lebreton and Jean Savoureau were farm workers. Louis Balcop was a day laborer. He is buried in Montigny. Maurice Ferchal was 14 in 1911. His parents were employed at the farm. Jean Rouaud was a herdsman.
Mr. Gilbert’s farm included a distillery. It processed beetroot alcohol. This was a major industry. It employed ten workers from October to February.
Albert Arnoux was a mason and carpenter. He died May 5 1916 from injuries. Louis Adolphe Balcop was a mason. He worked at Mr. Gilbert’s farm. He died October 1 1916. Maurice Edmond Bessin disappeared September 23 1914. He was declared dead. Louis Arthur Chasles was killed August 8 1918 at Braches. Gustave Dony died October 4 1918 at Marvaux.
Maurice Désiré Ferchal disappeared July 22 1917. Henri Furaite died September 14 1915 at Raincourt. Henri Félix Gastaldi died April 28 1915 at Hattonville. Albert Marie Gausson disappeared June 1 1916. Jean Baptiste François Louis Marie Lebreton died July 20 1916. Alphonse Mace died April 25 1917 in Greece. Gaston Henri Maillier disappeared August 26 1917. Albert Julien Maillier died August 16 1918 at Limay hospital. Alexandre Camille Louis Charles Meslin died July 29 1915. Ernest Albert Morin was killed June 5 1915. Ernest Clément Mouton disappeared November 8 1914.
Jules Victor Perreal was killed August 22 1914 in Belgium. Ernest Presse was killed September 1 1916. Henri Vital Ragaine died October 31 1915. Maurice Victor Emile Raimond was killed September 22 1914. Alphonse Rebillard died July 13 1916. Jean Marie Rouaud died June 17 1915. Louis Mathurin Saillard disappeared December 21 1914. Louis Marcel Faustin Sapience was killed July 22 1915. Jean-Marie Savoureau was killed February 21 1915.
The Monument aux morts de Montigny-le-Bretonneux stands as a place of memory. It embodies the stories of those who never returned. It serves as a stark reminder. War’s cost is steep.