Military figure. He was the last surviving officially recognized veteran of WW1 from France. Born in Italy, he travelled on his own to France. Aged 16 (he lied about his age in order to join the French Army) he was engaged in 1914 to the French Foreign Legion, where he rediscovered his older brother, Céleste, who had engaged earlier in the same unit. Next year, against his will, he was transferred to the Italian Army, where he got seriously wounded and even gassed, but he survived the war. In WW2 he was engaged in Resistant's activities. His state funeral was held at Saint-Louis Cathedral in Les Invalides (Paris) and was attended by government ministers, soldiers and members of the Ponticelli family. Flags were ordered to be flown at half mast while President Sarkozy unveiled a plaque dedicated to the veterans of WW1. Legionnaires of the French Foreign Legion carried his coffin. After the procession, he was buried in the family plot at Ivry Cemetery, Ivry-sur-Seine (Paris)
Military figure. He was the last surviving officially recognized veteran of WW1 from France. Born in Italy, he travelled on his own to France. Aged 16 (he lied about his age in order to join the French Army) he was engaged in 1914 to the French Foreign Legion, where he rediscovered his older brother, Céleste, who had engaged earlier in the same unit. Next year, against his will, he was transferred to the Italian Army, where he got seriously wounded and even gassed, but he survived the war. In WW2 he was engaged in Resistant's activities. His state funeral was held at Saint-Louis Cathedral in Les Invalides (Paris) and was attended by government ministers, soldiers and members of the Ponticelli family. Flags were ordered to be flown at half mast while President Sarkozy unveiled a plaque dedicated to the veterans of WW1. Legionnaires of the French Foreign Legion carried his coffin. After the procession, he was buried in the family plot at Ivry Cemetery, Ivry-sur-Seine (Paris)
Bio by: Rik Verhelle
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