Pierre Picault was, at age 109, France's last surviving French veteran of World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 and eldest man. He became the last French World War I

World War I

World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...

 veteran following the death of 108-year-old Fernand Goux

Fernand Goux

Fernand Goux was, at age 108, the penultimate French World War I veteran, with Pierre Picault being the last. Born in Sceaux-du-Gâtinais, Loiret, Goux was called up for service on April 19, 1918. Goux was deployed behind the front lines with the 85th Infantry Regiment, supplying the troops and...

 on 9 November 2008.

Biography

Joined up on 15 April 1918 and became a 2nd class gunner. He served with the French army

French Army

The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...

 83rd artillery. Pierre Picault is not recognized by the French government—he served in the trenches for less than three months.

Picault also served with the 85th RAL on 5 December 1918, the 20th Squadron of the 1st Arvil Train in 1919, and the 19th Squadron Train on 9 February 1920.

Picault died on 20 November 2008 in Bou

Bou

Bou is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France....

, Loiret

Loiret

Loiret is a department in north-central FranceThe department is named after the river Loiret, a tributary of the Loire. The Loiret is located wholly within the department.- History :...

. He had resided there all of his life until his death.

See also

• List of last surviving World War I veterans by country
• List of veterans of World War I who died in 2008