48 - MERMOZ, Jean

MERMOZ, Jean 31 letters “Jean” (3 “JMermoz”), Aurillac, January–September 1917, to his “dearest little mom”; approximately 120 pages in-8 and in-12 formats; a few letters with faded ink. Letters from the high school in Aurillac. He is in Aurillac with his grandparents (who are mentioned in 5 letters), attending high school. He finds it hard to cope with being separated from his mother (who initially remained in the occupied zone in the North, then was sent to work as a nurse at the hospital in Nice) and lives in anticipation of her letters and their reunions; he nevertheless follows the events of the war, especially in the North, and reflects on his future. He often writes to his “dearest mom,” and suffers from knowing she is “still back there with the Krauts”; he compiles a list of soldiers from Mainbressy along with their assignments… “You know I’m almost a soldier, too. I’ve started military training because I’m fifteen” (January 18). Being separated from his mother is hard on him, and he begs her to come join him—a request supported by his grandparents, who write to her in his wake. He did not pass the scholarship exam, and reassures his mother about his military training: “We are preparing for a career as soldiers, it’s true, but the war would have to last another two full years for that to happen—which I hope it won’t. We’ve made good progress these past few days. Folembray will no doubt be liberated soon” (March 28). “Folembray has been liberated. It’s just another ruin to add to the rest. What a cursed race the Germans are! But watch out—we’ll make them pay dearly” (April 2). He worries about his mother’s health and reassures her about his own: “When you see me, I’m sure you won’t recognize me, not even by my voice alone. I’ve done several years of gymnastics and have toughened up my body and limbs ” (April 29). He thinks about his future and considers the École des Arts et Métiers: “I’ll have to enroll in a practical—that is, vocational—school before next year. I’m quite sure I’ll choose this profession” (May 4). He takes stock of the dead: “especially from the high school during the attack on Reims. Two more yesterday whom I knew well. I was in class with them at the high school for two years. They were 17 and 17½ years old. Two more to add to the others! There are already 8 teachers and 43 students and alumni who have been killed.” He recounts how the gendarmerie commander—who was unpleasant and “cocky”—was “beaten up” (May 20). Summer break is approaching, and those over 16 will be mobilized for work on the home front; “But it’s very likely that I’ll enlist, and they’ll send us out in teams. Because this is no time to sit around doing nothing when you see the situation France is in” (June 24). He questioned the repatriates from the North: “This is no time to falter in France because the Germans are on their last legs. […] What is certain is that many soldiers are refusing to march. It seems that the 17th Corps refused to attack and killed all its officers. My aunt wrote to us that the soldiers had revolted at Château-Thierry and smashed everything at the train station”… (June 24). The awards ceremony is approaching: “I think I’ll get five honorable mentions and first prize in French essay writing”; but he doesn’t want to continue in high school: “When I see smart guys who are going to take the baccalaureate and who are slumped over, it repulses me. I’d rather stay healthy than do those desk jobs”… (July 1). He isn’t very interested in school and is determined not to continue in high school; “Being a practical engineer was my dream”; he regrets not having enrolled in a vocational school: “I’m pretty skilled; first of all, I really enjoy it, and I have a knack for it, as my teachers at Hirson told me” (July 8). He spends his vacation going on bike rides and swimming in the Jordanne River, and he helps out with the refugees at the Prefecture: “Since I’m resourceful, they send me to lead the convoys” (July 22)… Etc. Source: - Jean Mermoz (1901–1936); - Gabrielle Gillet-Mermoz (1880–1955); - Then passed down through the family