The grave of Albert Lefrançois (Touffreville)

The re-identification in 2020 by the association Les Gilets Bleu Horizon de la Seine-Maritime of Albert Lefrançois’ grave and the determination of Mayor Manuel Grente, accompanied by some of his constituents, led to its restoration, thus reviving our memory.

Albert Lefrançois was born on September 15, 1895 at 3 a.m. in Maucomble, Township of Saint-Saens. He is the son of Justin Lefrançois, 29 years old, mason, and Hyacinthe Varin aged thirty-three, housewife.

At the period of the draft board, he lived in Esteville with his parents and worked as a mason like his father. It is noted that he has brown hair, grey eyes, a narrow forehead, a small nose and that he is 1m 58.

He was incorporated in December 1914 as a private in the 119th Lisieux Infantry Regiment. Five months later, on 15 May 1915, he was permanently assigned to the 319th Lisieux Infantry Regiment.

During the Second Battle of Champagne, on September 25, 1915, after camping two nights in a fir forest in Saint Jean sur Tourbe (Marne), he took part in the attack on the German positions of the mound of Tahure (now Mourmelon military ground). On September 26 at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, the 319th Regiment of Albert Lefrançois, 24th Company received the order of attack. He was wounded during this action; transferred to the field hospital, he died four days later. On that day the regiment lost 346 soldiers, dead, wounded or missing.

Albert Lefrançois was declared Dead for France on the same day (September 30, 1915). His death was transcribed in Esteville on March 21, 1916.

His body was exhumed from the cemetery of La Croix-en-Champagne on 16 March 1922, and then put on a train from Suippes station to Critot station. He was re-buried in Touffreville churchyard.

On his heart-shaped plate is inscribed:

Dead for France

Everlasting Tribute of the Nation

On his cross from top to bottom are: a laurel wreath, the flag, a sword and these two words:

PRO PATRIA

According to Manuel Grente's speech on November 11, 2020, in front of the restored grave.