France’s last known survivor of the First World War was given a full state funeral yesterday in a solemn ceremony which also paid tribute to the French soldiers who lost their lives during the conflict.

Lazare Ponticelli was carried by members of the French Foreign Legion during the commemoration in Les Invalides. Numerous French dignitaries were present including President Sarkozy who paid tribute to the fallen and reaffirmed his commitment to encourage the younger generation to recognise the sacrifices of les poilus – the loving name given to the French veterans of the First World War.

Also present was former President Jacques Chirac and numerous personnel from the Italian Alpine brigade – to which Ponticelli was called up to in 1915.

Ponticelli was a native Italian who fled the country at nine years of age in order to join his brothers in Paris. He enlisted at the Foreign Legion at the outbreak of war in 1914 and like many, believed that he would be “home by Christmas”. After joining his Italian comrades, he moved back to France in 1921 where he went into business with his brothers making chimneys for factories. Some years later, he was awarded French citizenship and died last week at the age of 110.

A commemorative plaque was revealed by the President at Saint-Louis cathedral – the location of Napoleons tomb. As part of the solemn service to honour the 8.4 million soldiers who served their country so valiantly President Sarkozy stated –

“Never again will anyone tell their grandchildren or great-grandchildren about the terrible life of the trenches,”

Dulce et decorum est . Pro patria mori.

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