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Sergeant Pierre MARCADET

Biography

Source (Photos and biography) :
- Mr Ludovic MARCADET, Grandson of Pierre MARCADET

His life:

My grandfather's life began on 13 February 1917.
His father, Louis MARCADET, was in the trenches.
After a normal school education, he followed in his father's way, starting his mechanic-auto apprenticeship at the age of 14 at Base 109 in Tours.
In 1936/1937, he joined the air force (below, a photo taken during his training).
He wanted to be a pilot but was refused for medical reasons (varicose veins).
He had an operation to solve the problem, but was categorically refused.
The army even refused to let my grandfather become a pilot, even though he had passed his civil pilot's licence.
In 1938/1940, he joined the bomber formations and found himself in the newly created 2/22 group as a gunner on POTEZ 63-11s.

Editor's note: The 22e wing was originally a Bombardment Wing stationed at Chartres airfield and made up of GB I/22 and GB II/22. Both squadrons flew Amiot 143s. On 13 February 1939, the 22nd Bombardment Wing changed its speciality and became a Reconnaissance unit. GB I/22 and GB II/22 became GR I/22 and GR II/22 and flew Pötez 63-11s.

On 30 March 1940, Pierre MARCADET married Alice GORASSO, a 20-year-old Italian woman. They had 2 children


After the war, he was demobilised and continued as an aircraft mechanic for the army (civilian staff). He worked on the first jet aircraft.
During his long career, which ended in 1976 at Base 705 in Tours, he was awarded the "meilleur ouvrier de France" diploma in mechanics.
He died in 1996 in Saint-Cyr sur Loire.