Tag Archives: 118th Infantry Regiment

Funeral of Appolinaire Ruelland, 118th Infantry Regiment

The new plaque on the grave of brothers, Appolinaire and Francois Ruelland

The new plaque on the grave of brothers, Appolinaire and Francois Ruelland

The funeral of Appolinaire Joachim Marie Ruelland, the second of the two French soldiers discovered during last November’s excavations at the Glory Hole, took place on Thursday 9th October in the French necropole at Tracy-le-Mont some 90 kilometres south of La Boisselle. The reason this location was chosen by the family is because it is the resting place of Appolinaire’s brother Francois who was killed in action nearby on 7th June 1916. Appolinaire and Francois are now reunited.

On a beautiful autumn day the LBSG was represented by Peter Barton, Anna Gow, Brian Powell and Cameron Ross. Seven members of the Ruelland family had made the journey from Brittany. They were presented with a dossier containing documents, plans and photographs outlining the events of 8 January 1915 that led to the deaths of Appolinaire Ruelland and Louis Le Heurt.

There were present many members of the Ancien Combattants, French military personnel, officials from ONAC, Prefets and Mayors. The event was colourful and celebratory, the speeches of several officials being especially complimentary about the quality of the LBSG’s work in the recovery of the remains of several French soldiers at La Boisselle. Peter Barton laid a floral tribute and planted a Breton flag.

Ancien Combattants provided the Guard of Honour

Ancien Combattants provided the Guard of Honour, Nécropole Nationale Tracy-le-Mont

Peter Barton laying the LBSG wreath

Peter Barton laying the LBSG wreath

Wreaths at the cemetery's memorial

Wreaths at the cemetery’s memorial

Peter Barton speaking with the great niece and great nephew of Appolinaire Ruelland

Peter Barton speaking with the great niece and great nephew of Appolinaire Ruelland

The new plaque on the grave showing Appolinaire and Francois are now buried together

The new plaque on the grave showing Appolinaire and Francois are now buried together

Archaeologist Cameron Ross at the graveside

Archaeologist Cameron Ross at the graveside

Ceremony for the dedication of the grave of Louis Joseph Heurt, 118th Infantry Regiment

On 8 September 2014 a ceremony was held at the French National Cemetery at Albert  to commemorate the burial of one of two identified French soldiers recovered by the La Boisselle Study Group during archaeological excavations in November 2013.

French National Cemetery, Albert

French National Cemetery, Albert

The two soldiers, who were discovered buried in the wall of a trench, were identified from their identity discs.  Privates Louis Joseph Heurt and Appolinaire Joachim Marie Ruelland, both of the 118th Infantry Regiment, were killed on 8 January 1915 during a German attack on the Ilôt at La Boisselle.  Louis Heurt’s remains were interred earlier this year at the French National Cemetery at Albert.  On 8 September 2014 a ceremony was held enabling family members to pay their respects, during which the plaque was formally fixed to the cross over his grave.

Anciens combattants provided standard bearers for the ceremony

Anciens combattants provided standard bearers for the ceremony

Descendants of Louis Heurt were in attendance, including his nephew M. Michel le Heurt.  Personal affects, including uniform buttons and other items found with the remains, were presented to M. le Heurt during the ceremony. These items had been passed to the ONAC (Office National des Anciens Combattants et Victimes de Guerre) by the LBSG when the remains were recovered in November 2013.  A number of LBSG members were in attendance, including the archaeologists who carried out the excavation.

M. Bureau of ONAC conducts the ceremony

M. Bureau of ONAC conducts the ceremony

M. Le Heurt is presented with the artefacts found with his uncle's body by M. Quintin of ONAC

M. Le Heurt is presented with the artefacts found with his uncle’s body by M. Quintin of ONAC

LBSG team members and archaeologists with M. Michel le Heurt

LBSG team members and archaeologists with M. Michel le Heurt

Archaeologist Brian Powell and M. Michel le Heurt

Archaeologist Brian Powell and M. Michel le Heurt

Louis Joseph Heurt, 118th Infantry Regiment. Image reproduced with permission of Michel Le Heurt.

Louis Joseph Heurt, 118th Infantry Regiment. Image reproduced with permission of Michel Le Heurt.

The grave of Louis Joseph Heurt, 118th Infantry Regiment

The grave of Louis Joseph Heurt, 118th Infantry Regiment

At the request of his family, the remains of Appolinaire Ruelland will be buried at Tracy-le-Mont  alongside those of his brother. The ceremony is due to be held on 9 October 2014.

Discovery of two French soldiers

During the archaeological excavations of May 2012 two sets of human remains were uncovered near the south-eastern corner of the ‘Granathof’, the ruins of an old courtyard farm that before the war had long been present at the site. Whilst most of the farm is now a crater field, early surveys suggested that a substantial portion of this highly symbolic structure might still survive, protected by the fallout from mine explosions (see separate section on the Ilot/Granathof).

Granathof - an early French trench driven through the stable block. The brick stable floor is evident. Both sets of human remains were uncovered in this area.

The first set of remains was found near an early trench that had been driven through the stable block; unfortunately this man was unidentifiable. The small collection of bones was carefully excavated and removed by a qualified archaeologist. No identifying artefacts, other than French line regiment buttons, were found with the remains.

The second soldier was found by Peter Barton during work on the walls of the adjacent farmhouse. There was present an 1881-model identity disc which carried the name ‘BIDEAU’. The following casualty form confirms his name as François Marie Bideau of the 118th Infantry Regiment, killed at La Boisselle on 27 December 1914. The disc also bears his call-up year and recruiting region, with the regimental number on the reverse side. The region is Tréguier, a port in Brittany. Found alongside were buttons, a toothbrush and small pieces of leather – possibly from personal equipment. It required five days to complete the exhumation.

1881-model identity disc carrying the name ‘BIDEAU’. Parts are corroded.

The reverse side bears his recruiting region, Tréguier, a port in Brittany.

Casualty form of François Marie Bideau, 118th Infantry Regiment

The War Diaries of the French 118th Infantry Regiment and 11th Army Corps, and also the history of the 13th Wurttemberg Pioneers enable the events of 27 December to be pieced together. After the loss of the farm on Christmas Eve, the Germans tried to retake the position on 27th with a grenade attack by infantry and pioneers. Determined to hold the line, the French had amassed a large amount of artillery. The farm buildings were at this time held by the 3rd Company of the 118th Regiment commanded by Lieutenant de Castel. After a heavy bombardment by trench mortars, the Germans advanced from their trenches some 60 metres away with fixed bayonets. According to the war diary of the 118th Regiment, the Germans came forward with right hands raised, signifying surrender, until nearing the French some amongst their ranks threw melinite bombs. The attack was repulsed at bayonet point, but was followed by another heavy German bombardment, which itself preceded another grenade attack half an hour later. The French then bombarded La Boisselle and the German artillery batteries, reporting that this fire combined with that of the infantry defeated the assault. De Castel’s Company was now very tired, having held the position for three days. It was therefore relieved by a company of the 65th Regiment later in the day. Sandbags, logs, improvised grenades and coils of wire known as ‘réseaux Brun’ were brought up to reinforce the farm. The German fire gradually lessened and by the end of the day quietened down. Losses to the 118th were one officer wounded and approximately forty casualties to other ranks. Amongst the German casualties were two pioneer officers killed.

Francois Marie Bideau

Several coils of wire were recovered during the excavation. Soon after the discovery of the remains of François Bideau, Claudie Llewellyn-Lejeune, one of the Glory Hole’s proprietors, made contact with the family in Brittany and also the Mairie of the soldier’s home town. François Bideau’s son served in the Second World War; he was killed in 1940. Other family members are in the process of being traced. Further information will appear as soon as it becomes available.