Recently, a distant relative in France mentioned the name Camille Oreste Chevallier, holder of the Legion of Honor, renewing my interest in the Family Chevallier in Graffigny-Chemin, an ancient and small village traces its existence back to Roman times.
From the online Archives of Haute Marne and the National Archives in Fontainbleu, concerning the Legion of Merit for Camille Oreste Chevallier, I am able to put together this brief summary:
Camille Oreste Chevallier
Camille Oreste Chevallier is our great uncle.
On the 16th of January, 1852, he was born at home in Graffigny at 5 o’clock in the afternoon. His parents were Paul Constant Chevallier, then 29 years old, and Anne Eugenie Richier, then 23 years old.
Promptly, at 8 am on the following morning, the proud father Paul Constant Chevallier appeared before the mayor of Graffigny-Chemin, his brother Alexander Chevallier, to confirm the birth. Present at the declaration of birth was Hilaire Chevallier, father of Paul, and grandfather to the newborn Camille.
Ten years later, a daughter, Julie Laure Chevallier was born to the couple. She is our great grandmother.
Camille joined the French 1st Mounted Artillery Regiment on the 20th of March 1869, and later served with the 11th Artillery Regiment, achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel and in 1909, receiving for his service the Legion of Honor.
Who is this?
This leaves unanswered the question of who is this in the photograph. This appears to be a post World War I photograph showing the Croix de Guerre and Battle of Verdun medal.
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| Qui est-ce? |
