A HERO OF DAUAUMONT.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13934, 17 July 1917, Page 1

A HERO OF DAUAUMONT.

FRENCH SOLDIERS IN WEL-

LINGTON'.

There are visiting Wellington at the present time several members of French colonial regiments who have been wounded in different theatres of war in Europe, and have been recruiting their shattered health in Noumea (New Caledonia). These men may be distinguished by their uniforms of horizon (light) blue. The men include several soldiers who have fought with marked distinction at the front, and hope to do so again (says Thursday's Dominion). One of the men, Pote Saloun Francois, a Noumean native, a square-built, muscular young man, of notably intelligent features and expression, is quite a liero. Ho was concerned last year as a member of the Ist Regiment of Colonial Infantry in the retaking of .Fort Douauraont at Verdun. -" Ho, as an export grenadier, was the fourth man to enter the shambles of Fort Douaumont, and' with three others succeeded iu capturing 200 Germans. For Jiis 'act of conspicuous gallantly he was awarded the Croix de Guerre, ivith one star. As a member of a regiment which distinguished itself time after, time, during the French advance from Verdun—which will ever remain an event in French military history—he is (entitled to wear the "fourragere" (the twisted cord and tassel that hangs fyom the left shoulder). Of the men who are in Wellington six have earned tho Croix de Guerre, and two wear the much-coveted

fourragere,- , ■ Two of the men are Corporals' Paul Legras and his brother, sons of the' newspaper proprietor at Noumea; Both havb'bepn two years at the front; Paul on tho' Westerii front anil , his brother at Saloniea. Both were wounded, Paul was.'through;''tip Soimne offensive, attached to a French regiment' that' was fighting ,on the Ansae flank. His a'dmiration for tho " Anzacs,'' is' unbounded, «nd : lie' remarked on the readiness and spontaneity of tho 1 that ' sprung up between the Preneh .poilus ; and the '.'Anzacs," as somothing quicker and warmer than tho/latter's "relations with"the British,'' Tommies,'!