FRANCE

New Zealand Tablet, 8 June 1916, Page 37

FRANCE

DECORATIONS AND HIGH PRAISE. The ‘ Medaille Militaire,’ bestowed only for distinguished service, has lately been given to the following ecclesiastics (writes a Paris correspondent) : Sergeant Davy, professor in a college of the diocese of Rodez, whose right hand is mutilated; to Corporal Bellon, both of whose hands were gravely injured he is a member of the Congregation of Foreign Missions; to Corporal Massey, noticed as ‘ a very good soldier/ who was professor in an ecclesiastical college at Troyes; to Adjutant Bruni, a remarkable non-commissioned officer, says the official mention'. Before the war this adjutant, who distinguished., himself by his ability, presence of mind, and courage at Verdun, was a ‘ vicaire ’ at Notre Dame de Tonnerre, in the diocese of Sens. A priest well known in Paris, tho Abbe Rudynski, ‘ vicaire ’ at St. Denis de la Chapelle, has just received the decoration of the Legion of Honor. Although over fifty years of age, he volunteered as military chaplain, and has already been honored by a splendid mention, recording his ‘superb attitude under fire/ During the battle of Verdun, he never ceased to assist the wounded at the most dangerous points, continues the ‘ citation/ ‘ giving a magnificent example of his sense of duty and spirit of sacrifice/ Among the other citations we find that of a young seminarist of Mende, twice mentioned fox' his excellent service; a ‘ vicaire ’ of a Breton village is praised for his ‘ courage and presence of mind ’ at Verdun; a well-known Paris priest, M. Anizau, is honored for his ‘ unwearied devotedness and for valor above all praise ’ ; another seminarist is, says the ‘ citation/ ‘ a vigorous and brave soldier, who. gave an example of splendid courage.’ A * vicaire ’of Noyen is mentioned as having Splayed absolute devotedness, calmness, and courage under fire; *heis as kind as ho is modest/ adds the official document. Another corporal, who is an ecclesiastical student at Rennes, having volunteered to act as ‘agent de communique/ was wounded in the foot, but, crawling on his knees, he made his way back to his commanding officer and safely transmitted an important piece of intelligence. Another seminarist from Nantes ‘ refused to leave his post, although wounded, and continued to fight with the greatest courage.’ A corporal seminarist from Blauvais never ceased to minister to the wounded under intense fire. A soldier priest from Poitiers is reported to be ‘ le devouement in came/ devotedness personified. A ‘vicaire’ from St./Plour is said to have solicited perilous missions, in order to remain close to his men, although he was officially enrolled among the stretcher-bearers. A former professor of philosophy at Tours ‘ devoted himself to the wounded under fire.’ The cure of a village near Poitiers has a longer ‘citation’ than the others; he saved the life of a wounded soldier who, in a sudden fit of insanity, refused to leave the battlefield. ‘During two hours/ said the commander, who gave the * Croix de Guerre ’ to this good priest, * the cure carried his charge on his back, under the enemy’s fire, till i reached a place of safety/