Remember!
At the age of 98, André Noizat decided to entrust us with the pennant of the 5th BCP (infantry battalion), which he had been guarding, for safekeeping in our flag room.
Since then, 10-year-old Constance has become a standard-bearer, allowing this pennant to be present at numerous patriotic events, while also being displayed in our flag room.
This presentation of the pennant to the association marked the beginning of a friendship that has developed between the Noizat family, the children of former members of the 5th BCP, and our association, especially through Bruno Duteil, our Vice-President.
It was in the name of this friendship that André Noizat asked our President to present him with the Legion of Honor.
This ceremony took place on Saturday, September 20th, in the common room of the 'Ages et Vie' residence in Montgivray. It was attended by Nicolas Forissier, Member of Parliament; Nadine Bellurot, Senator; Michel Blin, Mayor of Montgivray; Serge Descout, former President of the Departmental Council; two departmental councilors, Michèle Selleron and François Daugeron, themselves children of former members of the 5th BCP, General Lanternier, and Colonel Michel Laurent; and Solange Guérineau, who represented the SMLH 36. The director, staff, and some residents of the residence were also in attendance.
Let us remember that André Noizat joined the resistance when he was not yet 20 years old, that he participated in numerous missions to slow down the ELSTER column, that he joined the 5th BCP, attached for a time to the 1st Army and thus participated in the reduction of the Colmar pocket before going to fight within the 4th demi-brigade of Chasseurs à Pied for the reduction of the Saint Nazaire pocket.
He completed his military service in Algeria at the end of 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Back in the Indre department, Mr. Noizat actively participated in preserving the memory of the 5th BCP's actions, primarily in the Colmar region and especially in the village of Vieux Thann.
Very discreet about his past as a resistance fighter, as he felt he had only done his duty, he agreed to open up after his decision to hand over the 5th BCP pennant to “Les Amis de La Martinerie”.
The ceremony took place in the presence of Maxime and Thibaut, two of his three grandchildren, and Sixtine, the eldest of his five great-grandchildren, who was very proud to carry the medal display cushion.
Nadine Bellurot, Senator, presented him with the Senate medal, and Michel Blin with the medal of the commune of Mongivray, his place of residence. In his response, read by his grandson Maxime, André Noizat expressed his genuine emotion. He spoke of the brotherhood that bound the resistance fighters and the combatants together, a bond that has endured over time. He expressed his wish to share this medal with all his comrades who have never returned.
He thanked his wife, who has been by his side for 75 years, the entire “Ages et Vie” team, the participants in the Legion of Honor ceremony, and “Les Amis de La Martinerie”.
He also addressed his grandchildren and great-granddaughter, telling them that this decoration should have meaning for them, a story to be passed on, and a memory not to be erased.
As for us, we also want to express our sincere thanks to the director of the home and the staff for their welcome, for preparing the premises and for organizing the reception.
La NR article, September 25, 2025
L'Echo du Berry article, September 25, 2025
Click on images to enlarge
Photo credits: Foyer Ages et Vie de Montgivray – Philippe Guillot – Dominique Mariani - Evelyne Caron
