French Foreign Legion

[415]

Hi,

I don't know if this is the right spot for this. I’m looking for the way I can find out whether some served in the French Foreign Legion. I had a relative who had all kinds of stories in regards to his military history. So I’ve been attempting to confirm his stories. After WWII he claims he served in the French Foreign Legion. I’m incline to believe this because when he came to Canada and joined the military here, he was in the Vandoos which is a French speaking unit. He ended his career as a reserve with the Calgary Highlanders. So far I’ve been able to confirm that at least at the end of WWII he served in 1 Company, SS Fallschirmjager Battalion 500. If there’s a way I can confirm whether or not he served with the French Foreign Legion I would much appreciate the contact information.

Thanks,

Chris

[Jim Woods]

The legion is very secretive. You can join the Legion under just about any name you want. I do not know if there is any place that will confirm membership. They do issue discharge papers, but under the name used.
This could be very difficult.

[landsknechte]

You could try checking around with some of the veteran's associations, and see if you might be able to stumble across a comrade of his.

[415]

Thanks for your help guys, I figured it might be a challenge to try and confirm. landsknechte I think that might have to be the way I have to go. That might be difficult to find to, he immigrated to Canada in 1956, so many of his comrades have probably passed away as well.

Thanks,

Chris

[peter monahan]

Yes, historically one of the appeals of La Legion has been anonimity. And, at the risk of touching a nerve, that was particularly true in the years after WWII, when a large number of Germans joined. I suspect that many did not reveal their true names even to comrades and asking about the past life of even a 'copain' [buddy] was and is considered the ultimate in bad taste.

They won't know anything about your relative, but the Gentlemen's Military Interest Club includes in its membership at least 2 ex Legionaires who can likely answer your question about whether tracking veterans is possible. Chris Boonzaier is a very helpful type, though he served much more recently. Not sure when the other(s) were in. The GMIC has a spot for guests to post questions too: "Guests Valuation/Identification Forum. Try there. Just title your post "FFL" or "LE". Hope this helps.

Peter

[byterock]

The Legion is not secretive at all and is very open about who joined and who was and was not a member.

Where to start is with the Le Musée de la Légion étrangèr

You will have to coorosponed with them in French of course sending an English email may take a very long time to get a respose

As you are In Canada I would try with thier Military misson in Ottawa

http://www.ambafrance-ca.org/spip.php?rubrique836

They are usually very very helpful.

Cheers
John

[Jean-Loup]

"The Legion is not secretive at all and is very open about who joined and who was and was not a member. "

Are you sure about this? It is already dififcult to get info about WW2 veterans in many countries because of privacy issues. I cant imagine the Legion confirming anything regarding its recent members, as being anonymous if one wishes is one of the main principles of the Legion.

"You can join the Legion under just about any name you want."

You join the Legion with your real name and ID, and they then 'issue' you a new name.

JL

[byterock]

"The Legion is not secretive at all and is very open about who joined and who was and was not a member. "

Are you sure about this? It is already dififcult to get info about WW2 veterans in many countries because of privacy issues. I cant imagine the Legion confirming anything regarding its recent members, as being anonymous if one wishes is one of the main principles of the Legion.

"You can join the Legion under just about any name you want."

You join the Legion with your real name and ID, and they then 'issue' you a new name.

JL

In this case they usually very quickly confirm or refute if person x was in the LE and it also true that is harder to get a service record for person x.

You are also right about the name it is given to you by the Legion you do not pick it yourself.

The Legion is now very hard to get into with the majority of candidates never getting past their two week stay at Aubagne


Just spoke with a buddy on line and surprise surprise you no longer have to join under an assumed name.

[paul.j]

ffl

"You join the Legion with your real name and ID, and they then 'issue' you a new name".
Not true,its dependant on personal choice or a a decision by them if its deemed you have some "issues"

[Jean-Loup]

"Not true,its dependant on personal choice or a a decision by them if its deemed you have some "issues" "

Well, I see that you are correct since september 20th 2010 ( first faq: http://www.legion-recrute.com/en/faq.php?SM=0 ).
However, untill then, everybody was given a new name, out of fairness for those who needed a new name (or at least that is what they claimed on their website). If there was only one guy in the company who had a new name, then it would look conspicious.

JL

[peter monahan]

Apparently part of the 'new' recruitment process consists of the legion running your real name and country of origin past Interpol, to see if there is a reason why you want to hide. If not, and you pass the physical, etc, you're in. I didn't realize, however, that one was 'issued' a new name. I always thought you got to choose.

Anyway, it wouldn't be a case of 'one guy on a company' with a new name because, again, as far as I know, the name you use in Legion is and even your bunkies don't know whether its the one you were born with or pulled out of a hat unless you choose to tell them.

And of course, historically again, there were lots of reasons for joining but not under your own name. The Crown Prince of Denmark served, though as an officer I believe [ie: under his true name] during the 1920s, when many recruits were just looking for adventure and it was a cool thing to do. Plus all the runaway husbands, teenagers and others who weren't in any trouble per se but didn't want it known that LE was where they'd gone.

[Chris Boonzaier]

For a few decades now

1) You cannot join until the BSLE checks you up with interpol. Then the legion gives you a new name.

2) The Legion will not confirm or deny if anyone was a member. I dont know where this bunk came from. Legionnaires amongst themselves can tell pretty fast if someone was in or not by speaking to them. Since I have left the legion about half the people I have met who claim to have been in were not.

3) You can get a new name by choice (then the legion wants to know why) or if they decide to give you one. Not everyone gets one.

4) If you are wanted for anything serious you will not get in. Rape, Murder, Drugs, etc will mean you are refused entry, something small may be overlooked.

Best
Chris

[415]

Thanks for the help guys.