Chevillot, Gilbert

Date of birth:: July 12th, 1908 (Romainville, France)
Date of death:: September 2nd, 1944 (Algiers, Algeria)
Nationality:: French

Biography

Called up for the flag in November 1928, he prepared for EOR courses at Lunéville and at the Saint Avold camp and, in April 1929, he was received at Saint-Cyr. He was then assigned to the 3rd Battalion of worn dragoons.

In May 1930, he was demobilized as a reserve second lieutenant. Not enjoying civilian life, he enlisted for three years in the colonial infantry in April 1934 as a sergeant.

Admitted to Saint-Maixent in September 1936, Gilbert Chevillot graduated from the "Faire Face" promotion with the rank of second lieutenant.

He was then assigned to the 3rd Colonial Infantry Regiment then, in April 1938, to the 4th Senegalese Tirailleurs Regiment with which he left for AOF.

In 1939, Gilbert Chevillot was in Ouagadougou in Upper Volta and, despite his request, he was not allowed to return to fight in France.

In July 1940, he answered the call of General de Gaulle and prepared the rallying of his battalion. Summoned by his leader in the presence of the officers of the battalion, he affirms, revolver in hand, his commitment to Free France. Then, he leaves the premises, threatening the guardhouse with his weapon.

Under his leadership, most of his unit, bringing equipment (trucks) and armament, reached the Gold Coast, after having traveled several hundred kilometers and forced the roadblocks established to stop them.

Gilbert Chevillot then took part in campaigns in the Middle East. In 1942, with the Marching Battalion No. 2 (BM 2), he participated in the battle of Bir-Hakeim where he victoriously commanded a point of support. During the force exit from the position on the night of June 10 to 11, 1942, he managed to bring back almost all of his company.

Gilbert Chevillot was then assigned to the General Staff of the 1st Brigade with which he participated in the battles of El Alamein in October 1942.

Falling seriously ill, Captain Gilbert Chevillot was hospitalized at the Maillot hospital in Algiers where he died on September 2, 1944. He was buried in the Saint Eugene cemetery in Algiers.