Albert Dadure (1894-1915)

On 21st July 2013, archaeologists uncovered the remains of a soldier at La Main de Massiges. These remains belonged to Albert Dadure, born 2nd April 1894 at Audouville-la-Hubert in the district of Sainte-Mère l’Église (Manche). Before mobilisation he was a farmer living at Fontenay-sur-Mer. On 7th September 1914 Albert Dadure was called up and underwent military training in preparation for front line duty. On 5th December 1914 he joined the 23th colonial infantry regiment (23rd RIC), based in Paris, and was sent up to the Massiges sector of the front in Champagne.

From then on his regiment saw active duty on the front lines at Main de Massiges and on the northern edge of the forest at Hauzy. While on rest they were based in Dommartin-sous-Hans. On 4th February 1915 the 23rd RIC was moved back up to the trenches at Main de Massiges. On the 5th the French positions on this ridge were subjected to extremely heavy bombing from the German artillery. The troops tasked with holding on to these slopes, with the Germans overlooking them on all sides, were placed in a critical situation and sustained heavy losses (Source: War diary of the 5th colonial brigade). On 7th February Private Albert Dadure was killed by a bullet on the front line. Dadure was buried in the trench by his comrades. On 11th February this position was taken by the Germans, and not recaptured until late September 1915. In the meantime, the tomb of Albert Dadure was forgotten.