RootsChat.Com
General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: andrew shanks on Wednesday 09 January 13 11:15 GMT (UK)
-
I am looking for any information that might be available on 2 Free French soldiers who were billeted in Bexhill, Sussex in 1944.
The first one is Jean Francois Simon, who was born around 1919 - possibly a French Commando who I believe took part in some sort of raid against the Germans. He survived the war and married a Hazel Weekes in Sussex in 1945.
I only have the second name of the other person and this is Roger(t).
I would be grateful for any assistance with this.
:)
-
I can't help directly, but you might find posting on www.genealogie.com would lead you to someone who could help. It's a broadly similar site to RootsChat but French-based - and you will be much more likely to get responses if you post in French.
-
Hi,
There is a death for JF Simon, 1982 in Sussex; birthdate given as 2 December 1919.
Nanny Jan
-
This looks like him.
I have attached a picture of Jean that may assist:
-
Hello,
I can recognize the insignia of the French“ Premier Bataillion de Fusilliers-Marins Commando” under the orders of the famous Commandant Kieffer.
I could find the name of Cpl Jean Francois Simon on the website:
http://www.netmarine.net/forces/commando/histocommando/178jourj.htm
http://www.netmarine.net/forces/commando/histocommando/index.htm
He was one of the 178 soldiers of the commando who participated on the 6 th of June 1944 during the landing on the beaches of Normandy. They fought at Ouistreham, a famous battle well known by the French. After Ouistreham they fought at Bavent. Pont l'Evèque, Beuzeville. The commandos left France on the 6 th of September 1944 and went back to the UK (camp Petworth, West Sussex).
Back in the UK for a short period of relief and then the unit was integrated/attached with the 1 ste Canadian Army in Belgium. From there to Holland (Isle of Walcheren, Isle of Schouwen, Wessel and Minden) till May 1945.
Concerning the other man with the name “Roger”
Possibility if he was a member of the same commando:
Roger Leostic – wounded on the 6 th of June 1944
Roger Bucher- wounded on the 6 th of June 1944
R. Boulanger, R. Dechambou, R. Dumanoir, R. Flesch, R. Fougere, R. Gadou, R.Gersel, R.Goujon, R.Jovenin, R. Lesca, R. Lossec, R. Madrias, R. Massin, R. Moguerou, R. de Naurois, R. Ohliger, R. Piauge, R. Roelandt, R. Rossey, R. Roux, R. Saerens (+ 22/01/2009 at Lorient, France), R. Strina.
Or the next possibility: M. Rougier
Hope this can help.
Regards,
Alexandre
-
Hi,
not sure if your still looking for information on Jean Simon. If you are i'm his grandson and may be able to assist.
-
Hello John,
Sorry for the delay in replying and yes, we are still following this thread. Your grandfather was billeted with my grandparents during WW11.
I will send you a private message.
:)
-
John Simon will need to make 2 more posts before they are able to use the PM system.
-
Hi,
not sure if your still looking for information on Jean Simon. If you are i'm his grandson and may be able to assist.
Hi, my name is PETIT Philippe. I'm living near Paris. I am the grandson of Maria Simon, who was the sister of John. She told me about her brother and that he had participated in D-Day. When I was young, I read the letters that your grandmother sent in English to Maria. I would be very happy to talk with you and get information about jean simon and his family after the war. I read several books on the Kieffer Commando, and I am very proud of him. Sincerely P.PETIT (*)
(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy, to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility.
See Help-Page: http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
(Addresse mail supprimée pour éviter le spam et d'autres abus.)
-
Hello Philippe,
I am very pleased to hear from you and yes, I am still interested in any information about Jean.
If you post 2 more messages on here you will be able to use the personal message facility and we can exchange e-mail addresses.
Regards
Andrew :)
-
Hello Philippe,
I am very pleased to hear from you and yes, I am still interested in any information about Jean.
If you post 2 more messages on here you will be able to use the personal message facility and we can exchange e-mail addresses.
Regards
Andrew :)
Hi Andrew,
How do you know Jean SIMON ?
Regards
Philippe
-
Hi Philippe,
Jean Simon was billeted with my grandparents during WW11 and my mother was bridesmaid at his marriage. After the war he tried to get back in touch with them but when he visited the house they had moved. Ironically, the new house that they had moved to was just around the corner from the old house. He didn't leave a note of his own address, so when my grandparents found out that he was looking for them there was nothing they could do. Unfortunately, they never saw each other again.
Andrew
-
Hi Philippe,
Jean Simon was billeted with my grandparents during WW11 and my mother was bridesmaid at his marriage. After the war he tried to get back in touch with them but when he visited the house they had moved. Ironically, the new house that they had moved to was just around the corner from the old house. He didn't leave a note of his own address, so when my grandparents found out that he was looking for them there was nothing they could do. Unfortunately, they never saw each other again.
Andrew
What a pity ! we are also looking for information about his life, his family. Maria, his sister, saw Jean for the last time in 1945. He came to see her to Paris (maybe after the parade in May 1945) then he went back to England. Do you have more informations ? If you want, I can try to do some research in France. We know he has Grandchildren in England. We would like to contact them if possible.
Regards,
Philippe
-
Hi Philippe - if you check page 1 of this thread you will find John Simon, who is Jean's grandson. If you contact him I expect that he would be pleased to hear from you.
Andrew
-
Hi Philippe - if you check page 1 of this thread you will find John Simon, who is Jean's grandson. If you contact him I expect that he would be pleased to hear from you.
Andrew
John Simon has only made one post, therefore they will not be able to receive or send personal messages. Hopefully they will make another 2 posts so that they are able to do so.
-
Hi Phillipe,
Sorry for the delay in replying, I've only just seen your message. Its good to hear from you, unfortunately I don't know much about the French side of the family as grandad died when I was very young but it would be great to chat with you.
regards
John
-
Hello, sorry for my english
I am french navy officer and the webmaster of french museum commando
Biography of SIMON : http://musee.fusco.lorient.free.fr/biofuscosimon_jean.htm
birth 2 february 1919 where in france ?
Death 1985 Month ? Day ?
Buried in the cemetery of Hastings ?
Thanks very much for yours answers
-
We hope have this information before 6 june 2015
-
It's the date of many ceremonies in France for remember