Fernand Goux

Fernand Goux December 31, 1899 - Place of birth Sceaux-du-Gâtinais, Loiret, Centre, France Allegiance France Service/branch French Army Years of service April – November 1918 Unit 82nd Infantry Regiment 85th Infantry Regiment Battles/wars World War I Other work Farmer Fernand Goux (born December 31, 1899) is, at age 108, the last documented French World War I veteran. Born in Sceaux-du-Gâtinais, Loiret, he was called up for service on April 19, 1918. Goux was deployed behind the front lines with the 85th Infantry Regiment, supplying the troops and burying the dead. On November 3, 1918, he was sent to the front line with the 82nd Infantry Regiment for the last week of the war. This makes him one of two remaining Western Front trench veterans, along with Englishman Harry Patch, and one of three overall, including Italian Delfino Borroni, who fought on the Alpine Front.

However the French government does not recognize Goux as a poilu as he fought less than the requisite three months. The last official veteran thus remains Italian-born Lazare Ponticelli, who was buried with state honours on March 17, 2008, with Louis de Cazenave the last recognized native Frenchman to have served. After the war Goux worked as a farmer and he now lives in the Île-de-France region.[1]

[edit] See also Surviving veterans of the First World War

[edit] References ^ June 2008 article on Fernand Goux (French)