Europe 
François Hollande, dont c’était le premier 11 novembre en tant que président de la République a présidé ce dimanche matin les cérémonies sur les Champs-Elysées à Paris. Un hommage particulier a été rendu aux 13 soldats français morts en Afghanistan depuis un an.
À l’occasion de ce 94e anniversaire de l’armistice de 1918, François Hollande a observé un rituel plutôt traditionnel, sans prononcer de discours contrairement à son prédécesseur, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Continuing the tradition of former French presidents, Francois Hollande had paid homage to all those who died for France in various wars. Included in today’s ceremony, at the foot of the statue of the head of state during WW1, Georges Clemenceau, were 13 soldiers who died in Afghanistan in the past year.
This is the 98th anniversary of the end of WW1 and also the occasion when France finally pays homage to all soldiers who died in WW1. The former mentioned Fusilées, (shot for alleged desertion or cowardice) are also honoured.
Armistice day. End of WW1. Pour la première fois, un fusillé de 1914 est déclaré “Mort pour la France”.
At last France has officially recognised and honoured ALL dead soldiers in WW1. Those executed or shot (Fusilées) for alleged cowardice or desertion will now be enrolled in the roll of ‘Mort pour la France’
The first fusilée was Jean-Julien-Marie Chapelant (Shot 11 Oct 1914) whose father worked tirelessly to have his name cleared. He had been injured at the Somme four days before his death and was said to have evaded battle. He was condemned by a special war court of his regiment and shot for desertion. (The decision was upheld the Supreme court of military justice in June 1934.) Many such soldiers were shot for disobeying orders which they knew were a death sentence on themselves and others. Now they will be absolved and take their rightful place among the French War Dead.
Let us remember Sous Lieutenant JJM Chapelant. Who had been injured and captured by the Germans. Escaped and made his way back to his own lines. Only to be accused of desertion and shot while he lay on his stretcher.
Jean-Julien Marius Chapelant (1891-1914)
Jean Julien Marius Chapelant, né le 4 juin 1891 à Ampuis dans le Rhône , et mort le 11 octobre 1914 à Beuvraignes dans la Somme. Que la vierge Marie lui envelloper dans son joli manteau.
About bill
Worked in the technical / engineering area as a Science Laboratory Technician and as an Aeronautics Engineer.
The artistic side involves writing under the nom de plume of Billy Olsenn, his recently written play 'A Case of Wine' was staged by the players group Straight Make-Up at the 2012 Birr one act drama festival. It's next staging was in the one act circuit is in Cavan, at Maudebawn on Sat 10 Nov 2012. Then it was performed in the Bray, Co.Wicklow at the very popular one act festival in January 2013.
Next play is FEAR. A dark tale about revenge on the cruel death of two pensioners by young thugs. Neighbours hatch a devious and dangerous plan to exact old-style revenge. Bill is a member of the Drama League of Ireland and his plays have been critically vetted and certified as original pieces of work by the DLI.
Another literary project is that of commemoration of an aircraft crash on Djouce mountain in Wicklow in 1946. Bill wrote articles for the 50th, 60th and most recently the 70th anniversary, (12 Aug
2016) all were published in the Wicklow Times and ensured the survivors of the crash, all French Girl Guides, were not forgotten. Articles reproduced on this website.
But mostly this site gives a more general European and specific French slant on popular and not so popular articles of French news, translated to English by the author. Each article is translated on a paragraph by paragraph basis so easy to read in either language and even possible to improve either language by comparison of the short English and French paragraphs. Amusez vous bien.
The author is currently writing an easy to read technical aviation book centered around the Fokker 50.
Another interest is that dealt with in another of Bill's websites www.realnamara.net, a Statue of the mother of God, Mary. It was erected in 1972 in Dublin, at the end of the Bull Wall near Clontarf, and my grandfather William Nelson, was the main instigator of that project. I give talks on the history of the statue and my grandfather's adventurous and dangerous life at sea.
Technical assistance with each website is by J O'N.
