Solemn memorial ceremony in honor of the unknown hero from the Russian Expeditionary Force took place at the military necropolis in Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand. Official figures and Russian Ambassador to France Alexander Orlov participated in this ceremony, according to TASS. The hero was laid to rest with war honors. After the funeral service in the Cathedral of Resurrection, French military officers carried the coffin by the guard of honor. National anthems of Russia and France were played during the ceremony.
The remains of the unknown Russian soldier were found in the commune of Cormicy in France’s northeastern department of Marne by the French scientist Pierre Malinovsky. The front line lay there during World War I. The researchers managed to find out that the soldier died because of the exploded German bomb next to him. Together with the remains, a part of Russia’s military uniform was also discovered. After that, it was decided to bury the soldier at the Russian war cemetery.
Nicholas II sent the Russian Expeditionary Force of more than fifty thousand people to France. Thanks to Russia, France managed to withstand the attack of German armies.
It is worth reminding that there are four monuments in honor of Russian Expeditionary Forces in France. They are located in Paris, Cursi, Cannes and Brest. In 2015, the deed of Russian soldiers was set in stone of the memorial plaque in Marseille as well.
Russkiy Mir
