"Je pars sans regret avec la conscience d'avoir fait mon devoir.

"Prévenez donc mes parents le mieux que vous pourrez; qu'ils ne
cherchent pas à venir, ils n'en auraient pas le temps.

"Adieu vous tous que j'aimais.

"VIVE LA FRANCE!"


"DEAR GODFATHER AND GODMOTHER.

"I am writing to you, so as not to kill mother, whom such a shock would
surprise too much. I was wounded on the ... at.... I have two terrible
wounds and I cannot last long. The surgeons do not even attempt to
conceal this from me. I go without regret, with the consciousness of
having done my duty. Kindly break the news to my parents the best way
you can; they should not attempt to come because they would not have
time to reach me before the end.

"Farewell to all you whom I have loved.

"LONG LIVE FRANCE!"


Whilst loving his relatives tenderly, the last thought of the dying
Frenchman is for his country. Each one dies as a hero, yet not one
realises it. It would be impossible to show greater simplicity; they
salute the flag for the last time, and that is all.