There are millions of men who fell during the First World War but not Antoine Rey. This poilu from Beauzac, in Haute-Loire, survived, perhaps thanks to the love he had for his beloved. His grandson has just found their epistolary exchanges.
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There is always strong emotion during the Armistice ceremony, but perhaps even more so for Bruno this year. This November 11, 2024, an extract from a letter was read in Yssingeaux, in Haute-Loire, during the commemorations: “Having the great honor of serving my homeland in danger, I am proud to be able to offer it my courage and all the energy of a French heart”. This letter, dating from August 7, 1914, is signed by the hand of Bruno's grandfather: “Before leaving where duty calls me, I bequeath to my beloved wife, Marie-Rose Augustine née Arnaud, everything I own to this day”.
It was a bit by chance that Bruno found this letter about a fortnight ago. It is accompanied by another missive, this time dating from March 1918. His grandfather writes: “I love you. Why do I love you? How ? Ask me why the moon shines, why there are stars in the firmament. But don't ask me why I love you. I love you because I love you. And it's to kneel before this heart, before yours”.
Having gone to the front at over 40, Antoine Rey will fight mainly in North Africa. He constantly thinks of his wife and his daughter. A strength that will allow him to escape death. Bruno Murgue explains: “During these four years, he may have been afraid of losing his life. Maybe it was love for his wife that kept him going”.
He finally died at the age of 90, after having celebrated his golden wedding anniversary. Through these letters, Bruno discovers another side of his grandfather: “I have memories of a very authoritarian grandfather. This is why this letter surprises me. I have never seen my grandfather effusive or talk about love, but in this letter his heart is open. It's fantastic”.
After sharing them with his children and grandchildren, Bruno plans to entrust these letters to the departmental archives so that they remain engraved in the collective memory.
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