Louis Jouault

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Louis Jouault


JouaultObit.jpg

Published information about Louis Jouault


Epitomising everything that the 'Not so famous' section of Jerripedia is all about, we have the fascinating story of Louis Jouault, born in Jersey and yet a flagbearer for the French army in the Franco-Prussian War

Jerripedia editor Mike Bisson came across a reference while editing a Lesbirel family tree to Louis Jouault (1841-1889) born in St Helier, and who married Clara Louisa Lesbirel (1847-1890). Louis was identified as a flag bearer in the Franco Prussian War.

He and Clara had two children, Jean Louis, who married Marguerite Le Dain and Madeleine, who married Charles Rioutteau.

A scene from the Franco-Prussian War 1870-71

Jouault family researcher Nick Jouault was well aware of his ancestor, and responded to Mike's inquiry:

"I came across an obituary in the St Lo archives from the Coutances College book. He was actually a flag bearer for the Manche region. The French did not fight well and it was a bit of a disaster. I do find it interesting that a Jersey born person should fly the flag for France. Louis went to Granville with his father Julien when he was aged about 13 or 14. Julien was born in Granville but had also become a British citizen. This may have been because he owned vessels and you had to be British to own British vessels, hence some of the boats were registered in his wife's name - Jane Wimbee. In Louis's obituary it mentions he had worked at St Pierre Miquelon, a French territory in Canada, but his house burnt down twice. This is most likely where he knew the Riotteau's from. They were a Granville family that made their considerable fortune in St Pierre Miquelon. Emile Riotteau became a successful French politician and it was his son that married Louis's daughter Madelaine. She died on hoiliday when the hire car she was in that had faulty brakes (which were supposed to have been fixed) overturned on L'Etacq and she was crushed and died the following day in 1938. They had two daughters who were best friends with Christian Dior and they both went on to Paris. I recently made contact with the grandson of one.
"Louis Jouault married Clara Louisa Lesbirel, daughter of John Francis Lesbirel the auctioneers. Her sister married Ellen Amelia died young after she married John Edwin Pinel who later on became Constable of St Helier and a Judge."
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