BURNED TO DEATH

Southland Times, Issue 20445, 24 March 1928, Page 7

BURNED TO DEATH

FRENCH TRAVELLER. ESCAPE DURING WAR RECALLED LIVED AFTER FACING FIRING SQUAD (By Telegraph.—Press Assn —Copyright.) (Rec. 7.40 p.m.) Paris, March 23. The terrible death of Edmond Augier, aged 34, a commercial traveller, caused through his car going on fire after colliding with a post, recalls one of the most dramatic authenticated escapes during the war. On August 24, 1914, Augier was attached to a mounted patrol which was overtaken by Uhlans in the Ardennes and his horse was shot. Augier faced the enemy and killed several Uhlans. He was then taken prisoner and ordered to* carry the German flag through a German village. He refused and was taken to a roadside on the outskirts of the town where there were eight other Frenchmen. A squad of the 33rd German Infantry fired and Augier received four bullets in the arms, legs and side, but was not killed. During the nighf time he recovered consciousness amid the bodies of his eight countrymen. He appealed to a passing officer who fired at him and rode on. Augier lay for three days when the Germans discovered him and, thinking he had been wounded fighting, took him to hospital. He returned to France on September 22, 1916, in a convoy of wounded men. He was awarded the Military Medal and was promised the Legion of Honour, but refused when offered it after the war.—A. and N.Z.