Amboise War Memorial
8 May, Victory in Europe Day (VE), Fête de la Victoire, is a public holiday in France. It celebrates the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Like many towns in France, Amboise has a rue 8 Mai 1945. It also has a very fine War Memorial but, a long lens is needed to fully appreciate it and to pay the sculptor his due.
The Fallen
The base bears the Arms of Amboise. The names of the town’s fallen heroes are on the other three sides. The wonderful limestone sculpture consists of two soldiers and a beautiful woman in Grecian dress who towers over them, seemingly out of scale. Closer inspection reveals she is standing on undressed stone.
Arms of Amboise
Her left arm cradles the Arms of Amboise, her crown depicts its famous Château walls.
Crown of Château walls
Holding a garland of laurel (victory) and oak leaves (strength) she stretches out her arm as if to shelter a young man in combat uniform and equipment for fighting in the trenches.
Garland of laurel and oak leaves
His rifle at rest by his side, he seems to be looking up at her with the optimism of youth.
Both soldiers wear military uniforms, helmets, gaiters and army boots giving the impression they have returned from the Front. Does the undressed stone signify mud?
The sad, moustachioed soldier is probably a Territorial, an older soldier who carried out a number of duties but usually did not fight.
With downcast eyes, deep in thought, he holds a wreath for the grave of a fallen brother in arms.
On the tomb is the dead soldier’s helmet, his Croix de Guerre and a Latin inscription PRO PATRIA (for country). Roses in bloom around the edge signify someone who died before his time, in his prime. The artist has managed to evoke compassion and respect. His Memorial is poignant but not maudlin.
The sculptor, Camille Garand, (1879-1979) now sadly all but forgotten, studied at L’école des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He was born in Nouans-les-Fontaines not far from Amboise, but settled in Tours.
As well as honouring Amboisiens he was also surely remembering the seventy-two men from Nouans who also perished in the blood bath of World War One.
In 1920 the French State gave grants for war memorials to honour men who did not come home. The amount was proportional to the number of inhabitants who died on the battlefield. Amboisiennes/Amboisiens donated almost seven thousand francs, their profits from the sale of fish caught in the Loire. The final cost was 25,000 francs.
A War Memorial Committee was set up, the site chosen was Place Richelieu, the sculptor chosen was Camille Garand.
In the end, Place Richelieu was abandoned in favour of Place des Anciens Combattants en Afrique du Nord (at end of Allée du Sergent Turpin, where Credit Agricole is today) presumably where a fountain now stands.
Original location of the Amboise War Memorial, Photographer unknown
The Memorial originally stood in the middle of a small square surrounded by trees, bushes, flower beds, wrought iron railings and gate, a peaceful haven where mourners could go to grieve loved ones. It was there for almost sixty years from 1924 until 1982.
When Michel Debré was Mayor of Amboise, the decision was taken to relocate the Memorial to its present location on Quai General de Gaulle. It looks splendid. A light dusting of grime from the nearby road adds atmosphere and brings out its poignancy.
Post by Pamela, photography by Mark.
