She is a child from Barbonne Fayel (Marne) who returns to the country. Died for France in 1918, Paulette Léonie Dumont was a nurse during the 1914-18 war. Died in December 1918, she is buried in the military square of the Reims West cemetery. His native village, moved by its history, had his name engraved in marble on the war memorial, 106 years later.
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“It’s a strong symbol for my family, for me. I hope it will have an impact on future generations. I will be the one who had his ancestor’s name engraved so that he will never be forgotten.”
The words of Guillaume Bigard, great-grandnephew of Paulette Léonie Dumont are full of meaning. This November 11, 2024, 106 years after the death of his great-great-aunt, he will be in Barbonne Fayel in Marne to pay tribute to her. At the beginning of the year, this history and genealogy enthusiast contacted the mayor of the town. “I asked him why the name of Paulette Dumont was not inscribed on the War Memorial alongside all the natives of Barbonne Fayel who died for France”. The mayor, Jean-Louis Benoit, then discovered the story of this local child, hired as a military nurse and who died for France in 1918.
There are generations who look to the past, their ancestors, their stories. A way, perhaps, to take ownership of theirs and live their lives better. Guillaume Bigard is one of them. When he was a child, already, “my great-grandmother spoke of war stories to her daughter, my grandmother. I knew this great-grandmother, Paulette's sister. I was 5 years old when she died.” A few years later, Guillaume was introduced to the history of the family by his grandmother. She tells him about Paulette Dumont.
At 34, he now devotes part of his time to reconnecting with his ancestors. “Since 2018 and the opening of the Mémoire des hommes website, I have discovered my ancestors and I wanted to mix my story with theirs, he says again. I also decided to look into Paulette's case. I didn't find much information. She was young, she was a woman. For example, I have not found the exact date of her engagement as a nurse. But by cross-referencing family information and that of the archives of the “Memory of Men” site, Guillaume succeeded in drawing up a portrait of his ancestor and, above all, spoke of his dedication.
Their daughter died, Paulette's parents are devastated. They are the ones who did everything to ensure that “death for France” was inscribed on her monument.
Guillaume Bigard, great-grandnephew of Paulette Dumont
Paulette Léonie Dumont was born on August 31, 1899 in Barbonne-Fayel, in Marne, not far from Sézanne, to Léonie Person, her mother and unknown father. It was Julien Dumont, upon marrying Paulette's mother in 1901, who recognized her as his daughter. Paulette is the eldest of twelve children, four of whom died very young. Moved to Sézanne, the family was very close to the front when the war broke out. In the military archives, Guillaume Bigard found traces of his engagement. “She was in the 12-1 ambulance located in Dormanshe explains. She died in 1918, she was 19 years old and had joined as a nurse a few years earlier. She fell ill in the winter of 1918 and was evacuated for treatment to ambulance 15-3 at the Mencière clinic in Reims. She died of the Spanish flu in December 1918.
The military death certificate is one of the rare documents found allowing us to trace the story of Paulette Dumont.
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© Photo submitted
“Their daughter died, Paulette’s parents are devastatedfurther specifies Guillaume Bigard, Paulette's great-grandnephew. She is buried in the west cemetery of Reims in the military square and they decide to move from Sézanne to Reims to be closer to their daughter's grave. They are the ones who did everything to ensure that “death for France” was inscribed on her monument.”
Two years ago, Guillaume decided to follow in the footsteps of his ancestor and came to Barbonne Fayel. “I stopped at the war memorial and didn’t see his name. I wondered why.“He refines his research, will flower Paulette's grave in Reims for a year and at the beginning of 2024 he decides. He calls the mayor of Barbonne Fayel. “Immediately, they responded positively to me”continues Guillaume.
It is a duty to remember. Recognition of the dedication and commitment of this young woman on the front of the Great War. A highlight for my whole family.
Guillaume Bigard, great-grandnephew of Paulette Dumont
“You realize her maturity. This young girl, born in Barbonne Fayel, got involved very young”, explains Paul Schiesser, volunteer in the town's memory group. Like the other members of the memory group, he discovered the story of this dedicated nurse, caring for soldiers of the Great War at the front. “She saw horrible things, but she was an extraordinary support for these wounded soldiers.”
Determined to pay tribute to her, the municipality of Barbonne Fayel included Paulette Léonie Dumont in the heroes' monument erected in the village church since 1922. Her name is also inscribed on the village's war memorial. She is the only woman in the commune who died for France.
On November 11, 2024, Paulette Léonie Dumont will be the heroine. The entire village of Barbonne Fayel will honor him. “I'll be there, takes over Guillaume Bigard, his great-grandnephew. It is a duty to remember. Recognition of the dedication and commitment of this young woman on the front of the Great War. A highlight for my whole family.”
Although no photo has been found of Paulette Léonie Dumont, her name is now forever engraved in the history of France.
