At 85, Bernard Laurent, an amateur historian, has followed in the footsteps of those who in 1940 had taken in his in-laws on the routes of the exodus. Leaving from Weeping in the Marne, those who would later become his parents-in-law, accompanied by their three daughters - including Thérèse, his future wife - were accommodated for forty days in a small village near Guéret, in Creuse. The story was told to him a few weeks ago by his sister-in-law, arousing his curiosity, with the desire to say thank you to these benefactors.
“We have a few tracks, he reveals, the name of a hamlet, Montcoupiou, of a couple of possible farmers, Lamoureux… But time has passed. My in-laws were driving in a black Peugeot 402B. It was a difficult time, yet people helped each other. They were comforted, fed, sheltered when they were blocked by the creation of the dividing line. It is well worth showing our appreciation to these people. "
Bernard, who still lives in Pleurs today, will have experienced a similar adventure with his parents, a horse, a cart and a faster return home. His wife had never spoken to him about this episode before, and his lover of history lover - he chairs a veterans association - is ignited by this past which concerns him ...
At the town hall of Guéret, which he contacted, we were interested in his research. A telephone number and an email address are published, in order to perhaps reform the friendships of this summer of 1940 which separated and united so many destinies.
Guéret town hall: tel. 05.55.51.47.00, mail joelle.penot@ville-gueret.fr