René Félix Louis Joseph Riffaud (December 19, 1898 – January 16, 2007) was one of the last four 'official' French veterans of the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fig ...

when he died at age 108 in

Tosny Tosny () is a former commune in the Eure department in Normandy in northern France, some ten miles south of Rouen. On 1 January 2017, it was merged into the new commune Les Trois Lacs.France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan ar ...

. Born in

Jendouba Jendouba ( ar, جندوبة ; Formerly known as Souk El Arba until 30 April 1966) is a city in northwestern Tunisia, and capital of the Jendouba Governorate. It is an important crossroads with many road links to other towns such as El Kef, Tabark ...

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, Riffaud was conscripted into the Army of Africa in April 1917 as a 2nd class soldier (''Soldat de deuxième classe'') and served in various regiments. He was discharged in 1919 after a bout of

tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease usually caused by ''Mycobacterium tuberculosis'' (MTB) bacteria. Tuberculosis generally affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. Most infections show no symptoms, in w ...

, but rejoined later that year, and served until 1924. His wife, Lucie, whom he married in 1930, died in 1979. Their only son also pre-deceased him.

Decorations

Chevalier of the Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon B ...

Croix de Guerre The ''Croix de Guerre'' (, ''Cross of War'') is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was first awa ...

1914-1918 *

Combatant's Cross The Combatant's Cross (french: "Croix du combattant") is a French decoration that recognizes, as its name implies, those who fought in combat for France. The Poilus (French combat soldiers) of World War I worked toward recognition by the govern ...

1914–1918 Commemorative war medal World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fig ...

Medal of French Gratitude The Medal of French Gratitude (french: "Médaille de la Reconnaissance française") was a French honour medal created on 13 July 1917 and solely awarded to civilians. The medal was created to express gratitude by the French government to all t ...

* World War I Victory Medal

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Riffaud, Rene 1898 births 2007 deaths French centenarians Men centenarians French military personnel of World War I People from Jendouba Governorate Chevaliers of the Légion d'honneur Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France) Pieds-Noirs

Decorations

See also

References