Plucky War Figure

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 5609, 25 March 1931, Page 13

Plucky War Figure

REMARKABLE FRENCHWOMAN DEATH AT AGE OE EIGHTY. Madame Machcrez, a remarkable Frenchwoman, who distinguished hcrself at the bogining of the war, has died in her native town of Soissons at the age of 80 years. The widow of a former senator, Mine. Macherez was president of the French Red Cross in the Soissons district. When the Germans, after a severe bombardment, were about to enter tho town, all the authorities fled, and Mmc. Macherez remained alone to take control of everything. When the German troops arrived- a general and his stall called at the Town Hall and found Mme. Macherez sitting at the Mayor’s desk. "Where is the Mayor?” asked the general. "I am the Mayor,” replied Mme. Macherez calmly. "What do you want?” During the entire occupation of Soissons Mmc. Machcrez remained at her post, insisting firmly and with dignity upon her rights and those of the people of Soissons. Later she was decorated by the French Government with the Legion of Honour and the War Cross.