Jean François Marie LE ROUX was born on April 24, 1888, at Commana, in Finistère.
On February 21, 1915, during World War I, the military headquarters adopted an extremely bloody strategy that led to real bloodbath for the French soldiers.
Private LE ROUX Jean-François, of the 1908 class, who had to turn 27 in just a few weeks’ time, was exempted for family reasons, as he was the only one who could attend to his pregnant wife; he actually surpassed himself.
He showed up at Brest and was enlisted, as soldier number 3659 04019, into the 151st line infantry, the famous 15.1, whose motto was “On ne passe pas (no passage).” After a short training, he was sent to his target unit that fought in Argonne.
On July 1, 1915, at about 4 a.m., the 151st Infantry Regiment launched an attack to the left of the Bagatelle sector, at a locality called “Gruerie”, which subsequently became, in military jargons, “Tuerie (killings)”.
Upon attacking an enemy force that outnumbered it and had taken up good position, the regiment came under a rain of gunfire from uncountable machine guns and could not advance despite all its efforts.
Private LE ROUX Jean François was fatally injured and fell helplessly to the ground. He was administered some speedy first aid in the ambulance and subsequently transported to Périgueux hospital.
He never saw his son François, who was born on May 25 that same year, as he died, Died for France, on August 18, 1915, at 2 a.m., as a result of his injuries. He is resting in peace at Carré Militaire, at the North Périgueux Cemetery. His sacrifice has been immortalized on the War memorial of Commana, his village of origin.