Off Topic: French Foreign Legion Records?

[Steve Brew]

Quelque chose pour nos amis français, peut-être...

Does anyone know if historical FFL records can be accessed? I have a man who is believed to have spent a period with the FFL after leaving the RAF and prior to WWII.

Is there any way of confirming service details? I believe personnel records have been notoriously difficult to obtain. I am not seeking a copy necessarily, but would ideally like to understand the dates and location(s) of this man's tenure, if possible.

Thanks
Steve

[bvs]

Hi Steve

Obviously not your man but I have a book by James William Worden (Wayward Legionnaire) who did it a little later.
He was an RAF Air Gunner during WW2 and joined the FFL in 1960.
I have the book on my shelf if any info would be useful.

[Steve Brew]

Thanks bvs

I assume Wayward Legionnaire is an autobiography...?

Is there any reference to personnel records or did he have no need to access them?

Cheers
Steve

[PeteS]

There is an archive which is referred to here, presumably under the EU's FOI regulations ewould be available dependant on you being able to prove either kinship or possibly lapse of x number of years since a documented death.

https://www.legion-etrangere.com/mdl...xique-au-CDRLE

[bvs]

Thanks bvs

I assume Wayward Legionnaire is an autobiography...?

Is there any reference to personnel records or did he have no need to access them?

Cheers
Steve

Sorry Steve
Yes autobiography - he mentions at the end of the book that he was a member of the Amical des Anciens Combattants de la Legion Etrangere de Grande - Bretagne and at one time
was secretary general of that association,I do not know if that association is still running ?

Oddly he does not say anything much about his RAF service,the introduction in the book states that he completed 94 Ops and ended the war as an F/O Pilot,but I never did manage to confirm that.

[Steve Brew]

Many thanks bvs, that gives me a lead to look into.

Steve

[lucienlepine]

Many thanks bvs, that gives me a lead to look into.

Steve

Steve,

my answer would only make sense if you were still looking for information, given the above messages.


it is notoriously difficult to have access to information on the legionnaires. During the engagement, the Legion recognizes the duty never to communicate anything on its legionnaires. As it is stipulated "they will no longer have a past". Today all this is more relative, France no longer has a war going on. but for the confidentiality of files, the rigor is identical. Moreover let us remember that the legionnaires change name and nationality at the time of the engagement.
It remains possible to have a chance to collect information, it is through other archives, if they are accessible. It will often be a problem of dates.
I cannot tell you more without having precise indications: identity, date and place of birth, place of residence at age 20 also if possible.

if he is a foreigner, it is probable that the French archives would have nothing, unless he also served in another service than the Legion in Free France. Finally, I think that the only research that would then remain would be that of a biographical book... to be found.


Steve, you can answer me on my personal mailbox, it is to me that you sent 24 hours ago information on GIBBS (230 sqd).

F

[lucienlepine]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wayward-Leg.../dp/0708843654

could be easier ....

[Steve Brew]

Thanks very much, I will pm you.

Steve