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Name: BENAZETH, Paul (Capt.)
Birth Date: 11 Mar 1888 Azille, Aude, France
Death Date: 10 June 1953 Mombasa
First Date: 1910 March
Profession: French Consular Agent; Consul for Belgium; Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur; Croix de Guerre; Manager - L. Besson, Mombasa
Area: Mombasa
Married: Félicie Marie-Thérèse 'Dydy' Sarrazat b. 6 Sep 1902 Ocana, Corsica, France, d. 24 Jan. 1985 Marseille, France
Children: Mireille (26 Jan 1926 Marseille-24 Sep 1995); Henri (2 July 1929 Marseille-1 June 2016); Jean-Paul (9 Jan 1938 Mombasa)
Book Reference: KAD, Red 25, Red 22, Leader14
War Service: French Somali Infantry Battalion
School: Diploma of the School of Commerce & Industry of Mazamet, France
General Information:
Gazette 24 Nov 1953 probate
Jean-Paul Benazeth (son): War 1914-1918: Volunteer, he led the men of the French Somali Infantry Battalion, a unit incorporated in the famous Colonial Infantry Regiment of Morocco (RICM). These were attack troops sent to capture German trenches, a dangerous mission. They encountered so many casualties, that after several attacks, they were sent to the south of France to recuperate, continental troops taking over the defence of the captured trenches. They took part in all major battles of the war, including, of course, Verdun, where some 700,000 men were injured or killed on both sides. Awards: Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, Croix de Guerre with 2 palms, 2 stars in vermeil and 2 silver stars, Medal of Verdun, entitled to wear personally the Somali Battalion’s fourragère, and 6 citations, two of which by order of Army Corps.
War 1939-1945: Within days of General De Gaulle’s appeal on BBC to the French on 18 June 1940 to continue with the struggle, he joined the Free French movement and played a prominent part in setting up and operating the network in Kenya in conjunction with the British Authorities.
Career: Entirely in Mombasa. Joined L. Besson & Co., an import/export company in 1910. Exports include mangrove bark, copra, hides and skins, cotton, chillies etc. Imports include wines and spirits, cotton goods, building materials etc. Away for 1914-1918 war in France. Back to L.Besson as Manager 1919-1928 when they ceased trading in East Africa. Manager, Twentsche Overseas Trading Co. 1929-1950 on retirement. Roughly same exports and imports as Besson & Co., plus sole importers of Michelin tyres for Kenya and Uganda.
Other: French Consular Agent 1921-1953 (death). Last official consular function: attending the service at the Memorial Cathedral in Mombasa on the occasion of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth the Second on 2 June 1953. Doyen of Hon. Consuls in Mombasa. Awarded French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Medal of Honour in vermeil posthumously. Belgian Consular Agent 1921-1929.
Played in the Mombasa Sports Club football team 1910-1914. Pictured playing tennis there in 1932 in long white trousers! Talented magician. Bon vivant, he enjoyed cooking. Stamp collecting in spare time.
Jean-Paul Benazeth (son): War 1914-1918: Volunteer, he led the men of the French Somali Infantry Battalion, a unit incorporated in the famous Colonial Infantry Regiment of Morocco (RICM). These were attack troops sent to capture German trenches, a dangerous mission. They encountered so many casualties, that after several attacks, they were sent to the south of France to recuperate, continental troops taking over the defence of the captured trenches. They took part in all major battles of the war, including, of course, Verdun, where some 700,000 men were injured or killed on both sides. Awards: Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, Croix de Guerre with 2 palms, 2 stars in vermeil and 2 silver stars, Medal of Verdun, entitled to wear personally the Somali Battalion’s fourragère, and 6 citations, two of which by order of Army Corps.
War 1939-1945: Within days of General De Gaulle’s appeal on BBC to the French on 18 June 1940 to continue with the struggle, he joined the Free French movement and played a prominent part in setting up and operating the network in Kenya in conjunction with the British Authorities.
Career: Entirely in Mombasa. Joined L. Besson & Co., an import/export company in 1910. Exports include mangrove bark, copra, hides and skins, cotton, chillies etc. Imports include wines and spirits, cotton goods, building materials etc. Away for 1914-1918 war in France. Back to L.Besson as Manager 1919-1928 when they ceased trading in East Africa. Manager, Twentsche Overseas Trading Co. 1929-1950 on retirement. Roughly same exports and imports as Besson & Co., plus sole importers of Michelin tyres for Kenya and Uganda.
Other: French Consular Agent 1921-1953 (death). Last official consular function: attending the service at the Memorial Cathedral in Mombasa on the occasion of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth the Second on 2 June 1953. Doyen of Hon. Consuls in Mombasa. Awarded French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Medal of Honour in vermeil posthumously. Belgian Consular Agent 1921-1929.
Played in the Mombasa Sports Club football team 1910-1914. Pictured playing tennis there in 1932 in long white trousers! Talented magician. Bon vivant, he enjoyed cooking. Stamp collecting in spare time.