Guy de Montlaur

Who was Guy de Montlaur?

Guy de Villardi de Montlaur was a French artist and soldier. His family originated from Montlaur, a 10th-century castle north of Montpellier in the Languedoc country. His ancestor Bernard II de Montlaur, Lord of Vailhauquès, had fought with Raymond IV of Toulouse in the First Crusade.

As a young man Montlaur studied philosophy at the Sorbonne, and painting at the Académie Julian from 1936-1938. He worked with Emmanuel Fougerat and Jean Souverbie.

In October 1938 he was conscripted for military service, serving in the 3e Régiment de Hussards. He was a member of the 15è Groupe de Reconnaissance de Corps d’Armée initially based at Sarreguemines on the German border during the battle of France. He eventually left France, travelling to England via Lisbon to join the Free French in October 1942. His unit – the 1er Bataillon de Fusiliers Marins Commandos, in which he served as a Second-Maître – was attached to No. 4 Commando of Lord Lovat's 1st Special Service Brigade for the invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944, landing at Ouistreham. He also took part in the assault on the Dutch island of Walcheren on 1 November 1944, having been commissioned at a lieutenant. Montlaur received seven citations and the French légion d'honneur by the age of 25.