Jean Thurel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Thurel
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Jean Thurel, fusilier of the Touraine Regiment at 89 years of age. His three Médaillon Des Deux Épées medals and his Légion d'Honneur medal are visible in this 1788 portrait by Antoine Vestier, which was modified in 1804 to include the Légion d'Honneur.
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| Nickname(s) | The oldest soldier of Europe |
| Born | 6 September 1698 Orain, Burgundy, France |
| Died | 10 March 1807 (aged 108) Tours, Indre-et-Loire, France |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of France Kingdom of the French French First Republic First French Empire |
| Service/ |
Infantry |
| Years of service | 17 September 1716 – 29 January 1792 (75 years, 4 months) |
| Rank | Soldat |
| Unit | Touraine Regiment |
| Battles/wars | War of the Polish Succession War of the Austrian Succession Seven Years' War American Revolutionary War |
| Awards |  Médaillon Des Deux Épées (3) Chevalier de l' Ordre National de la Legion d'Honneur |
Jean Thurel (pronounced 'too-REL') was an amazing French soldier. He was born in 1698 and lived until 1807. This means he lived in three different centuries! He served in the French Army for over 75 years. He was a fusilier, which is a type of soldier who carried a musket. Jean Thurel was known for his incredible dedication and long service. He is often called "the oldest soldier of Europe."
Contents
Jean Thurel's Military Life
Jean Thurel was born in a place called Orain, in Burgundy, France. He joined the Touraine Regiment when he was 18 years old, in 1716. He served under two different kings, Louis XV and Louis XVI. He finally left the army in 1792. This means he spent 75 years and 4 months as a soldier!
Battles and Injuries
Thurel fought in many important wars. These included the War of the Polish Succession, the War of the Austrian Succession, and the Seven Years' War. He also fought in the American Revolutionary War.
He was hurt badly in battle twice. In 1733, during the Siege of Kehl, a musket ball hit him in the chest. Later, in 1759, at the Battle of Minden, he got seven sword cuts. Six of these were to his head!
Sadly, war also affected his family. Three of his brothers died in the Battle of Fontenoy in 1745. His own son was also a soldier in the same army unit. His son died in a naval battle called the Battle of the Saintes in 1782. This battle happened off the coast of Dominica in the Caribbean.
A Disciplined Soldier
Jean Thurel was a very disciplined soldier. He was only ever told off once in his whole career! This happened in 1747 during the Siege of Bergen op Zoom. The French troops were taking over a fortress. Thurel was told off because he climbed over the walls to get inside. He did this because the gates were closed, and he didn't want to miss roll call!
Another story shows how fit and dedicated he was. In 1787, his army unit had to march to the coast. They were going to get on ships. Thurel was 88 years old then. He was offered a carriage to ride in because of his age. But he said no! He walked the whole way, saying he had never ridden in a carriage before. He didn't want to start then.
Thurel was also very humble. He never wanted to be promoted to a higher rank. He stayed a low-ranking fusilier for his entire time in the army.
Awards and Special Honors
King Louis XV created a new award in 1771. It was called the Médaillon Des Deux Épées (Medal of the Two Swords). This was the first military award in France that regular soldiers could get. It was given to soldiers who had served for a very long time. To get this medal, a soldier had to serve for 24 years.
Jean Thurel received two of these medals in 1771. This was because he had already served two 24-year periods. He served from 1716 to 1740, and then from 1740 to 1764.
Meeting the King
On November 8, 1787, Thurel was brought to the royal court. This was at the famous Palace of Versailles. King Louis XVI was only 33 years old. He spoke to the 88-year-old soldier very respectfully, calling him "father."
The King asked Thurel if he wanted a special officer's medal or a third Médaillon Des Deux Épées. This was a very unusual offer! Regular soldiers usually couldn't get the officer's medal. Also, Thurel still needed four more months of service for the third "Two Swords" medal.
Thurel chose the third Médaillon Des Deux Épées. But he had one condition: the King himself had to pin the medal on his uniform. King Louis XVI agreed to his wish! The King also gave Thurel a yearly payment of 300 livres (old French money). Very few soldiers ever got a second "Two Swords" medal. Jean Thurel was the only one to receive it three times!
In 1788, the officers of his army unit paid for a painting of Thurel. This painting was done by a famous artist named Antoine Vestier. You can see this painting at the top of this page.
The Legion of Honor
On October 26, 1804, Jean Thurel was 106 years old. He became one of the first people to receive a brand new award. This was the Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur. It is the highest award in France. Napoleon I gave him this award and a larger yearly payment of 1,200 francs.
Napoleon also called him "the oldest soldier of Europe." Jean Thurel stayed healthy in his mind and body for his very long life. He passed away in Tours on March 10, 1807. He was 108 years old.
