A HERO OF DOUAUMONT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3134, 12 July 1917, Page 6

A HERO OF DOUAUMONT

VISITING WELLINGTON. There are visiting Wellington at the present time several members of-French colonial regiments who have been wounded in different theatres of war in Europe, and have "been recruiting their shattered health in Noumea (New Caledonia). These men may be distinguished by their uniforms of horizon (light) blue. The men include several soldiers who have fought with marked distinction at tho front, and hope to do so again. One of tho men, Pote Salaun Francois, a Noumean native, a square-built, muscular young man,. of notably intelligent features and expression, is quite a hero. He was concerned last year as a member of the Ist Regiment of Colonial Infantry in the retaking of Fort Douauinont at Verdun, lie, as an expert grenadier, was the fourth man to enter the shambles of Fort Douauinont, and with three others succeeded in capturing 200 Germans. For this act of conspicuous gallantry he was awarded the Croix <le Guerre, wit4t one star. As a member of a regiment which distinguished itself time after time, during the French advance from Verdun— which will ever remain an event in French military history—he is entitled to wear the "fourragere" (the twisted cord and tassel that hangs from the left shoulder). Of the men who avo in Wellington six have earned the Croix d» Guerre, and two wear the much-coveted fourragere. Two of the men are Corporals Paul Legras and his brother, sons of the newspaper proprietor at Noumea. Both have been two years at the front, Paul on tho Western front and his brother at Salonika. Both were wounded. Paul was through the -Somme offensive, attached to a French regiment that was fighting on tho Anzac flank. His admiration for the "Ahzacs" is unbounded, and he remarked on the readiness and spontaneitv of the friendships that sprung up between the French poilus end the "Anzacs," as something quicker and warmer than the latteT's relations with the British "Tommies."

Corporal Lepras referred interestingly to the French "Kight of Man" Day (the anniversary of 'the taking of the Bastille), •which occurs on July 14 (Saturday next), ■which, ho says, is the greatest day in the year with Frenchmen, 710 r.jatter ■where they are. It is celebrated hy a big patriotic fete at Tahiti and Noumea, and this year is to he celebrated with ffre.it point and circumstance in Sydney. It is suggested that hunting should be flown in Wellington by the vessels in port, ■warehouses, banks, otc. ; as a graceful compliment to our-ally in arms.