A FRENCH FAMILY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 110, 19 November 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

A FRENCH FAMILY.

TEN SONS IN THE ARMY. The Paris "Eclair'' writes of French family which has given ten sons to the army, three of whom have already fallen gloriously on the field of honour. The first son to fall was the eldest. Lieutenant Joseph L . He met his death on the morrow of a mention in despatches for conspicuous bravery. Then fell one of the twins, Albert and Antonie, who had been fighting side by side. The survivor writes : "My poor, poor mother, — Yesterday, at four in the afternoon, I saw mv twin-brother fall at my side with a bullet in the head. He had done bis duty but too well. He was always exposing himself. He died in my arms. We avenged him. No Germans could reach us. One hundred lay where they fell before opr rifles."

Later it is proud news that reaches the mother of heroes. Her daughter-in-law writes: "I have just learnea that Louis hag received the Cross of the Legion of Honour. General Joffre him. self decorated him, and gave the accolade." A month, and death again knocks at the door. Louis, the newlydecorated hero, has fallen at Notre Damo do Loretto. Yet the spirit of the family i« not broken. "These cruci lot>H\\." writes another son, Guy, a volunteer soldier, "must only serve to strengthen our courage and our firm resolve to avenge them.'' SIHI is the spirit of a family of France —of all the families qj France, ljiglj or low. great or (Bill.