| Louise Fleming received the Croix de Guerre from
the Government of France for her service on the battlefields
during World War I. In fact she was given the honour
of ringing the bells of Verdun Cathedral on November
11, 1918 to mark the signing of the Armistice and
the end of the War. The cathedral bells had not been
rung since August 4, 1914, the day the War began.
Louise took a horse-drawn canteen into the rear of
the field at the second battle of the Marne and at
the Battle of Verdun, there to provide hot coffee,
and nourishment for battle weary soldiers.
Cited for bravery on March 15, 1919 and received
her Croix de Guerre from Captain Count Adrien de Pachman
of the French High Commission, who came from France
to present it to her in person. |
