French Remembrance maintains memory

For almost a quarter of a century, Jacques Gaultier has kept alive the memory of soldiers who died for France. The former landscaper has cultivated a passion for history since his early childhood.

Committed to French Remembrance both in his commune of Buzançais, cantonal delegate since 2001, and at the departmental level, general delegate since 2010, this volunteer counts neither his time nor his energy so that we do not forget all those who, at through the ages and conflicts, have defended the homeland.

Without much illusion, Jacques Gauthier awaits the hypothetical succession with philosophy

“I’m retired, but I still work my 35 hours a week! » With his approximately 900 comrades, Jacques Gaultier maintains the thousand graves (tombs and military squares) of listed Indrian fighters who no longer have family to take care of the place where they rest. “We flower them all 1^is november. This is an important meeting for our association. »

“Continuous research by all possible means”

But it is an almost daily and much broader voluntary work to which the members of Souvenir français undertake. “We created a monument at the Orthemale Chapel, we are erecting steles for the Resistance. Above all, there is inventory work to be done. There remain sectors of the department, mainly in the south-east and south-west, where there has been no French Souvenir due to a lack of local committees. We are constantly conducting research using all available means. On registers, on the Internet or on site. We then identify the graves covered by moss where there are no flowers or boxwood and we go to the town hall to list them. »

This essential work of memory is the sole responsibility of French Souvenir in Indre. Frantz Roy, departmental director of the National Office for Veterans and War Victims (Onac), understands how precious the action of these volunteers is. “ Onac is responsible for major monuments and necropolises. It turns out that there are none in Indre. We provide aid to Souvenir Français which ensures the maintenance and flowering of the graves at an annual rate of €1.50 per burial. » Jacques Gaultier adds: “ Municipalities do not have the financial and human resources to do this work. Imagine that in Châteauroux, the square of 14-18 has 164 graves; That of 39-45, 105; Issoudun is 150…”

“Who will replace us when we disappear? »

But first of all, the association is missing arms. Without much illusion, Jacques Gaultier awaits the hypothetical succession with philosophy. “The troops are getting older and young people are not coming to join us. There were 1,400 of us before Covid and 500 fewer today. The hope of renewal is slim. Who will replace us when we disappear? »

From the First Empire to the Algerian War

Over time, the number of graves to maintain increases mechanically. “There are soldiers from 1870, 14-18, 39-45, from Indochina and now from Algeria with the disappearance of their descendants. »

At his home in Buzançais, Jacques Gaultier maintains the memory of Captain Rouillion, an officer who accompanied Napoleon on distant campaigns in Egypt or Russia. “My predecessor used to say that we should honor soldiers since Vercingétorix. We make no distinction between those who fought for France. Finally, we start in the First Empire. We have many graves of Napoleonic soldiers from Indre, in Villedieu, Issoudun and therefore Buzançais. General Bertrand was from Châteauroux. Many grunts rest with us. »

Thanks to French Souvenir, they have not been forgotten.