9 May 1915: Jacques Eugène Valfort

Jacques Eugène Valfort was born at Roanne, Loire on 21 October 1894.

Location of Roanne, Loire in the centre of France (cc OpenStreetMap)

Jacques was in preparation for his compulsory military service when war broke out in 1914.

The river Moselle, Epinal

Called up into the 17th Infantry Regiment at Epinal in September 1914, he was soon serving at the front and, by the end of 1914 was located in the Artois sector where he was to remain for his entire service.

Battle of Festubert. An unexploded German heavy shell at Festubert, May 1915. © IWM Q 90280

Jacques was killed in action during the intensive battle to seize the Lorette spur on the first day of the 2nd Battle of Artois – 9 May 1915 – and has no known grave.

French attack on Notre Dame de Lorette, 9 May 1915

Sdt 2 Cl Jacques Eugène Valfort, 17e R I.

9 May 1915

Research by David O'Mara