Raymond La France

Raymond and his older brother, Mervin, died on 12 June 1941 and are both buried at the Sudan War Graves Cemetery in southern Lebanon.

LA FRANCE RAYMOND : Service Number - SX3104 : Date of birth - 21 Oct 1918 : Place of birth - ADELAIDE SA : Place of enlistment - ADELAIDE SA : Next of Kin - LA FRANCE FLORENCE

Quoted from this site, an extract from Garrie Hutchinson [http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/perspective/garrie-hut...]

"After I had been to Dog River, I drove back through the still-scarred Beirut south through Damour to Sidon, where some of these forgotten Australians are buried, having died liberating Lebanon from the Vichy French.

Slessor had been here too.

He 'stopped at a smashed police post not far from the Litani River and stood for a few moments at a little cluster of Australian graves ... huddled together, as if taking cover on a slope of a hill. Behind them a ripple of young maize came to life in the wind, still defiant of the shells which had ploughed it.'

Slessor described the crosses made from the sides of packing cases nailed together and the inscriptions in indelible pencil, and noted that 'two comrades lay side by side facing the white beach and the blue sea ...'

He wrote 'it was not their relationship nor the fact that both had been killed on the same day that held me there so much as the tragic irony of their names. La France.'

A few months later he found them again, reburied in 'a little cemetery in lonely Bergouliye ... It was a neatly kept square in the middle of an empty plain, fenced with barbed wire, with paths of white pebbles in the rich soil and a gate painted battleship-grey ...

He found the two brothers here still side by side as they fought against Vichy France.

They were the sons of Pierre and Florence La France of Port Augusta. Merv was 27 and Ray 22, both from the 2/27th Battalion.

Sixty years later Merv and Ray lie in the Sidon Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. When I visited them, and the other 31 Australians, the gates were locked and the wall was high.

Few people come here, but wandering around looking lost, a boy came up, and showed me where there was a secret way through the fence.

His name translated as 'Blessing' and when I offered to pay him for his service, he was mightily insulted. He said it was his duty to help us remember and find a way through the fence.

Salaam Alikoum."

Publications

Title Pilgrimage: A Traveller's Guide to Australia's Battlefields Author Garrie Hutchinson Publisher Black Inc. Description ISBN 1 86395 387 6

Also another account and photos can be found HERE Now they have a new grave sight.

MR. PETER LA FRANCE and FAMILY" wish to THANK all kind friends and relatives for cards, letters and personal expressions of sympathy in their recent sad bereavement.

1941 'Family Notices', Transcontinental (Port Augusta, SA : 1914 - 1954), 8 August, p. 2. , viewed 20 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168451373

HEROES OF THE EMPIRE

LA FRANCE.—In loving memory of my two loved brothers, Merv and Ray, killed in Syria on June 11, 1941. Thoughts drift back to bygone days, Life moves on, but memory stays. —Inserted by Dell and Mum.

LA FRANCE.—In memory of Privates Mervyn and Raymond, who were killed in Syria, on June 12, 1941. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we shall remember them. —Inserted by Norm, Harold, Harry and Hilda.

LA FRANCE.—In loving memory of my two boys,. Raymond and Mervyn, killed in action in Syria, June 12, 1941. They shall not grow old, Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, And in the morning, We shall remember them. —Inserted by their loving mother, and sister and brother-in-law Syd.

1942 'Family Notices', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 13 June, p. 10. , viewed 20 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48870369

LA FRANCE.—In loving memory of my dear brothers Merv and Ray, killed in action. Syria, June 12. 1941. Not Just today, but every day, in silence I remember. —Inserted by brother Peter (AXF.I. 1.T3, Cowra. N.S.W.

LA FRANCE. —Loving memories of my two brothers PU. Mervyn and Ray La France. killed in Syria. June 12.1941. Thoughts drift hack to bygone days, life moves on but memories stay.—Remembered by Dell and Peter.

1943 'Family Notices', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 18 June, p. 8. , viewed 20 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48757190

LA FRANCE—In loving memory of our dear brothers, Mervyn and Raymond, who were killed in action in: Syria on June 12, 1941. They died defending us—the highest price they paid. We trust we may be worthy of the .sacrifice they made. —Always remembered by brother Peter (A.I.F.), sister Ivy, brother-in-law Wally, niece and nephew, Lorraine and Peter, of Prince street.

1945 'Family Notices', Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954), 13 June, p. 2. , viewed 20 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96196986

LA FRANCE.—In loving memory of our dear brothers and uncles, Mervyn and Raymond, killed in action in Syria on June 12. 1941. They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them nor the years contemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.—Inserted by their sister Ivy, brother-in-law Wally, Lorraine and Peter, Prince street.

1946 'Family Notices', Recorder (Port Pirie, SA : 1919 - 1954), 14 June, p. 2. , viewed 20 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article96208214

LA FRANCE.—Fondest memories of my two young brothers, Merv and Ray. Killed in Syria, June 12, 1941. Not today, but every day. In silence we remember. —Inserted by his sister Adele, Doug, Bill and Betty Duthy.

LA FRANCE-—ln loving memory of my brothers, Mervyn and Raymond La France, killed June 12, 1941, Syria. We have you in our memory. God has you in His care.—Inserted by Edna and Syd. Coldrey.

1947 'Family Notices', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 12 June, p. 16. , viewed 20 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35981335

LA FRANCE. In loving memory of my brothers Mervyn and Raymond. killed In action. Syria. June 12. 1941 We have you In our memory; God has you in His care. Lest we forget.-Sadly missed by Edna and Sydney Coldrey.

LA FRANCE.— In loving memory two sons Merv and Ray, killed in Syria, June 12. 1941.— ever remembered by father Pierre La France.

LA FRANCE. — Fond memories 1if my two dear brothers Merv and Ray. killed. Syria. June 12. 1941. Not today, but every day. in silence I remember. — Inserted by sister Dell Mrs. Norman Tucker

1954 'Family Notices', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 12 June, p. 26. , viewed 20 Aug 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article48115863