The Anciens we never hear/read about

[jonny]

There is a lot more about Tony, but the system only allowes me 10000 characters. A great guy, indeed.

 

[jonny]

Jens Jensen from Denmark, 88, buried 9.12.2017. Joined the Legion in 1957, 28 years old, served in Algeria and became a corporal, returned to Denmark in 1963. Was known as "Morocco Jensen".

Han oplevede mere end de fleste
AF: ASTRID VESTERGAARD , ASVES@JV.DK
Publiceret 08. december 2017 kl. 16:06

Jens Jensen fra Hviding tjente i Fremmedlegionen i flere år og brugte en del af sit liv på at holde foredrag om alt det, han oplevede dér.

Esbjerg: Jens Jensen, Enderupvej i Hviding, er død, 88 år. Han var en driftig mand, som i sit liv oplevede mere end de fleste.
Som 28-Ã¥rig rejste han nemlig til Paris og meldte sig til den berygtede franske fremmedlegion.

Jens Jensen havde sin barndom og ungdom i Rødding og Bredebro. Da han var 14 år, kom han ud at tjene på en gård, og i et interview med JydskeVestkysten fortalte han på et tidspunkt, at det senere blev dårlige tider i landbruget, og at han derfor overvejede at emigrere til Canada eller Australien.

Så hørte han om Fremmedlegionen. Hvis man meldte sig dér og gjorde tjeneste i fem år, blev man lovet jord i Algier. Derfor meldte han sig og blev sendt til Marseille; senere til Oran i det nordlige Algier, hvor han kom i en deling med folk fra det meste af verden, og blev en del af en barsk og brutal mandeverden.

Jens Jensen var én af dem, der lærte at begå sig med den barske disciplin. Han avancerede fra menig til korporal, og var involveret i mange krigshandlinger.

I starten af 1963 rejste han hjem til Danmark for at være tæt på sine aldrende forældre og fik aldrig det stykke land i Algier, han drømte om.
Jens Jensen gik under navnet "Marokko Jensen" og holdt mange foredrag om sin tid i Fremmedlegionen.

Han var uddannet landmand, og indtil få måneder før sin død kørte han dagligt en tur ud i marsken og tilså kreaturer ved diget.

Han efterlader sig en datter, en svigersøn og to børnebørn i Nordjylland.

Bisættelsen finder sted lørdag den 9. december klokken 13 fra Vester Vedsted Kirke.

Pictures of Jens Jensen in the Legion including his discharge certificate, from an article from 2015: https://www.jv.dk/modules/jv/gallery/?articleId=2074795

So

We served in Algeria during the same period.

 

[Peter Lyderik]

http://www.dublinpeople.com/news/northsidewest/articles/2018/07/23/4159180-irish-fighters-are-remembered--in-glasnevin-on-bastille-day/

Irish fighters are remembered in Glasnevin on Bastille Day

Monday, 23rd July, 2018

FRENCH Ambassador to Ireland Stéphane Crouzat, Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr Cathleen Carney Boud and Chairman of Glasnevin Trust, John Green led proceedings at this year’s Bastille Day commemoration at Glasnevin Cemetery.

The event on July 14 was marked by the laying of wreaths at the France-Ireland memorial to remember the Irish men and women who died fighting for France during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and WWI and WWII.

This was followed by the unveiling of a plaque of remembrance in honour of Michael MacWhite – recipient of the Legion d’Honneur and three-time recipient of the Croix de Guerre.

Reflecting on the event French Ambassador to Ireland, His Excellency Stéphane Crouzat said: “One hundred years ago, over 200,000 Irish nationals enlisted to serve on the battlefields of the First World War.

“Among them was Michael MacWhite. Joining the French Foreign Legion, Michael fought in France and Gallipoli before being wounded.

“For his bravery, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre and the Légion d’Honneur. His war experience led him to become a strong advocate for peace, both personally and professionally as Ireland’s first Ambassador to the League of Nations.”

John Green, Chairman of Glasnevin Trust, opened the ceremony with a welcoming address.

“The Franco-Irish connection has deep historical ties to Glasnevin Cemetery, which makes us particularly proud to further forge this link commemorating the thousands of Irish men and women who fought so valiantly for so many causes across the fields of France,” he said.

“The France-Ireland memorial under which we laid these commemorative wreaths are lasting tributes to the Irish men and women who fought in France during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 as well as WWI and WWII and the enormous sacrifices they made.”

The commemoration party then made their way to the grave of Michael MacWhite where Grace Neville, UCC Emeritus Professor in the French Department, spoke of the contributions MacWhite made to the foundation of the Irish State, his time with the French Foreign Legion, where he was awarded the Légion d’Honneur, and his work establishing the League of Nations.

 

[Peter Lyderik]

David Shealtiel

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Shealtiel

http://www.ifcj.org/news/fellowship-blog/From-Holocaust-Survivor-to-Holy-Land-Soldier.html