GEORGE RODOCANACHI
In August 2013 Dave from the My Liverpool Forum brought to my attention the story of George Rodocanachi. I must admit that like many people from my city I had never heard his name, after reading his story I felt shocked and ashamed that there is no recognition in Liverpool for the actions of this wonderful man who was born there. The tag " Hero " is often freely handed out, but it fits George Rodocanachi in every way.
He was born Georges Constantine Rodocanachi on 27th February 1876 in Liverpool, to Greek parents Theodore and Arghyro Rodocanachi. The family was living at the time in Sefton House, Sefton Park ( 50 Ullet Road ) Liverpool. The 1881 Census shows that the family were no longer living at that address. George was baptised at the Greek Orthodox church of St Nicholas in Berkley Street, Toxteth on 5th April 1876.
The photo above shows Sefton House, 50 Ullet Road, Sefton Park, Liverpool. A number of websites state that Sefton House was demolished or that it once stood in Greenbank Park next to the lake. The 1881 census shows only one Sefton House and it is in Sefton Park, as 1881 was only 5 years after the birth of George Rodocanachi I believe that this house on Ullet Road is his former home. It remains standing today in Sefton Park.
George spent his early years in Liverpool and was later educated in Marseille, France, before studying medicine in Paris from where he gained his diploma in 1903. He returned to Marseille and specialized in children's diseases.
George Rodocanachi, pictured around 1903.
On 22nd June 1907 George married Fanny Vlasto at the St Sophia ( Holy Wisdom ) church in Moscow Road, Bayswater, London ( The Rodocanachi family have a big connection to this church ) The following year on 2nd April 1908 their only child was born in Marseille, France, a son named Constantine.
Fanny Vlasto.
In 1914 George was working at the hopital du dispensaire des enfants malades in Marseille when WW1 broke out, the hospital was quickly adapted to receive the wounded men from the fighting. George decided that he would like to use his medical skills to help the wounded at the front lines and being British he contacted the war office in London who explained that his French diploma would not qualify him as a British Army doctor. He then tried the French Army who told him that as he was a British citizen they could not send him to their own front lines.
George now decided that his best option was to apply to become a French national, once he had achieved this he enlisted into the French Army. George served with the 24th Battalion, Chasseurs Alpin Regiment, seeing action on Mount Hartmannswillenkopf in the Vosges Mountains of Alsace, that overlook the Rhine Valley. The mountain peaks stand between France and Germany and saw some intense fighting during the war with over 30,000 men losing their lives here.
George was almost 40 when he enlisted into the French Army, taking into account his age and profession we should assume that he enlisted as the battalion doctor, without a record we can not be certain, he well may have been a serving soldier. We do know that he served with the 24th Chasseurs Alpin Regiment and that he was highly decorated for his service, so he was in the thick of something. If he was the battalion doctor then he would have been at the front treating wounded and sick men, often venturing out into no mans land to recover the injured. If your backs are against the wall then every man needs to fight, there is no other option. George as I have said was highly decorated in ww1, receiving the Legion D'Honneur, the highest award in France. He also received the Croix De Guerre, so he did something that was above the call of duty.
George had joined up in 1915, Without any personal records I can not be certain of any of his movements during WW1, but I have found a list of the 24th's Battalion places of service, so if we assume he was with them until the end of the war then we get a good idea of where he served. Between January and September 1915 the 24th's were at the schlucht Pass, Sudelkopf, Almattkopf, Sillacker, Black Wood and Little reichacker while serving in the mountains. In September 1915 they were in the Metzeral – Sondernach sector and remained in the Vosges mountains until mid 1916.
In 1914 George was working at the hopital du dispensaire des enfants malades in Marseille when WW1 broke out, the hospital was quickly adapted to receive the wounded men from the fighting. George decided that he would like to use his medical skills to help the wounded at the front lines and being British he contacted the war office in London who explained that his French diploma would not qualify him as a British Army doctor. He then tried the French Army who told him that as he was a British citizen they could not send him to their own front lines.
George now decided that his best option was to apply to become a French national, once he had achieved this he enlisted into the French Army. George served with the 24th Battalion, Chasseurs Alpin Regiment, seeing action on Mount Hartmannswillenkopf in the Vosges Mountains of Alsace, that overlook the Rhine Valley. The mountain peaks stand between France and Germany and saw some intense fighting during the war with over 30,000 men losing their lives here.
George was almost 40 when he enlisted into the French Army, taking into account his age and profession we should assume that he enlisted as the battalion doctor, without a record we can not be certain, he well may have been a serving soldier. We do know that he served with the 24th Chasseurs Alpin Regiment and that he was highly decorated for his service, so he was in the thick of something. If he was the battalion doctor then he would have been at the front treating wounded and sick men, often venturing out into no mans land to recover the injured. If your backs are against the wall then every man needs to fight, there is no other option. George as I have said was highly decorated in ww1, receiving the Legion D'Honneur, the highest award in France. He also received the Croix De Guerre, so he did something that was above the call of duty.
George had joined up in 1915, Without any personal records I can not be certain of any of his movements during WW1, but I have found a list of the 24th's Battalion places of service, so if we assume he was with them until the end of the war then we get a good idea of where he served. Between January and September 1915 the 24th's were at the schlucht Pass, Sudelkopf, Almattkopf, Sillacker, Black Wood and Little reichacker while serving in the mountains. In September 1915 they were in the Metzeral – Sondernach sector and remained in the Vosges mountains until mid 1916.
In July 1916 the Battalion fought on The Somme, fighting at Craonne, Rancourt and La Maisonette. The Battalion lost almost half of it's men during these actions.
1917 saw them serving in the fighting around the areas of Corbeny and Craonne. In April 1917 they took part in the Battle of Ainse leading to the Battle for La Malmaison in October 1917 where the French Army took the town.
In 1918 they remained around the Somme region being listed at Rouvrel and Castle Morisel. In the summer of 1918 they took part in taking the city of Laon, then at Leuilly, Remy, Guise, Seboncourt and Oiys.
George Rodocanachi was wounded twice during the war and on one occasion was on the receiving end of a gas attack. He survived the war and returned to Marseille and settled back into normal life with his family and his work as a doctor.
I will continue to look for and personal records about George's Army service and his medal awards. I would welcome and credit any help on this subject.
In 1918 they remained around the Somme region being listed at Rouvrel and Castle Morisel. In the summer of 1918 they took part in taking the city of Laon, then at Leuilly, Remy, Guise, Seboncourt and Oiys.
George Rodocanachi was wounded twice during the war and on one occasion was on the receiving end of a gas attack. He survived the war and returned to Marseille and settled back into normal life with his family and his work as a doctor.
I will continue to look for and personal records about George's Army service and his medal awards. I would welcome and credit any help on this subject.
The grave of 12 men of the 7th Chasseurs Alpins, who were kileed at La Maisonette on 28 August 1914. Photographs Courtesy of Pierre Vandervelden.
Marcel Laffont, painted in 1917 by Raymond Desvarreux. The painting shows Marcel in the uniform of the 23rd Chassuers Alpin Regiment. It also notes that they saw service at Ypres, Soissons, Alsace, Somme and Maureras.
This painting is copywrite of the Imperial War Museum.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/galleries/collections/imperial-war-museum-690
This painting is copywrite of the Imperial War Museum.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/galleries/collections/imperial-war-museum-690
Before we continue with George's story after WW1 I would first like to show you a number of photographs from the Hartmannswillenkopf Mountain that we know George served on in 1915. The photographs were taken by my very good friend Egbert who visited the area and walked up the mountain a few years ago, he has kindly allowed me to show a few of his photographs here, they give a good indication into was George was involved in.
These are just a few of the many photographs that Egbert took. If you would like to see a lot more with information added then please click the link below. It will take you to the homepage of the Great War Forum, from here scroll down to near the bottom of the page " Classic Threads " Click here, then look for " My Climb Up Hartmannswillenkopf " Click on this thread and you can read Egbert's story about the Mountain.
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?act=idx
You do not need to join the forum to read the story. If you are interested in joining it is free and a great place to learn about WW1.
These are just a few of the many photographs that Egbert took. If you would like to see a lot more with information added then please click the link below. It will take you to the homepage of the Great War Forum, from here scroll down to near the bottom of the page " Classic Threads " Click here, then look for " My Climb Up Hartmannswillenkopf " Click on this thread and you can read Egbert's story about the Mountain.
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?act=idx
You do not need to join the forum to read the story. If you are interested in joining it is free and a great place to learn about WW1.
Looking down to the Rhine Valley. The village is called Wattwiller.
Unbelievable view into the heartland of the Rhine Valley. At clear skies you can see of course the Black Forest and up to the Alps.
The view down into the Rhine River plains, looking to wards the village that named the mountain "Hartmannsweiler"
Preserved trench systems called "Lippische Schweiz"
More trenches.
A unique French structure, an armored observer position. It is the last remaining of formerly a total of 3 observer posts.
A Bunker in the Goldbach valley. Frank left his mark here so long ago and we can still see it.
View from inside a bunker towards the French front line.
The barbed wire that was such a feature of WW1.
A bunker near the top of the peaks. All the trees would have been gone due to shell fire during WW1, whoever manned here had a clear view of anything and anybody that moved.
A basic shelter made into the rocks.
Constructor sign inside an underground shelter. Situated at Marthapfad and carved in the concrete 1917 from Minenwerfer-Kompanie 326.
The fascinating place of "Felsenkaserne" . Yes, bomb proof barracks, only some 100m or less below the summit. But not visible for the enemy artillery spotters.
The huge complex of sheltered barracks and Bn HQ L.I.R.124. Called "Klippenstollen" Situated close to the summit of The Hartmannswillenkopf Mountain at around 750 meters height.
Close up of Feste Großherzog, entrance. It is only the top of the iceberg because the main features of the fortress are all underground and invisible from surface.
The kitchen for L.I.R. 56, which was built by their 1o. Kompanie.
The "Feste Karl" Fortress.
HQs for sector-, battalion-, regimental- and divisional commanders with all necessary facilities such as sheltered kitchen, Ops- centers, casino, quarters.
French trenches.
A telephone post.
The results of war, French and German cemeteries upon the mountain. Never forget those who fell.
The enchanted cemetery, that of the Uhlans. The bodies no longer lay here as they were relocated to concentration cemeteries sometime between 1920 and 1922.
George Rodocanachi seen in his consulting room in Marseille. The photograph is believed to have been taken around 1939.
George was aged 64 when war broke out in 1939 and was too old to be considered for any kind of duty on the battlefields. However he was determined to do his bit, and what he did was nothing short of remarkable.
The German Army had occupied France in the early stages of the war, the country came under German control, yet a lot of the South of France remained free from occupation. Marseille was still trading with the world and as a port it offered escape routes out of France. A lot of people who needed to flee headed to Marseille.
In 1940 George had made contacts with the Rev Donald Caskie at the British Sailor's Mission at 46 Rue de Forbin, Marseille. The mission was aiding allied servicemen who had not made the evacuation at Dunkirk and were thus trapped in German occupied France. George who was known by the nickname " Rodo " and his wife Fanny were trusted and brought in to help, he treated wounded men and they even hid some of them in their own flat. The mission was thought to be the largest safe house in France at that time, receiving anonymous funding, food parcels left overnight at it's doorstep, and phone calls to warn that police would be checking the building. This shows that a lot of locals knew what the mission was doing and sympathized with those fleeing.
George was aged 64 when war broke out in 1939 and was too old to be considered for any kind of duty on the battlefields. However he was determined to do his bit, and what he did was nothing short of remarkable.
The German Army had occupied France in the early stages of the war, the country came under German control, yet a lot of the South of France remained free from occupation. Marseille was still trading with the world and as a port it offered escape routes out of France. A lot of people who needed to flee headed to Marseille.
In 1940 George had made contacts with the Rev Donald Caskie at the British Sailor's Mission at 46 Rue de Forbin, Marseille. The mission was aiding allied servicemen who had not made the evacuation at Dunkirk and were thus trapped in German occupied France. George who was known by the nickname " Rodo " and his wife Fanny were trusted and brought in to help, he treated wounded men and they even hid some of them in their own flat. The mission was thought to be the largest safe house in France at that time, receiving anonymous funding, food parcels left overnight at it's doorstep, and phone calls to warn that police would be checking the building. This shows that a lot of locals knew what the mission was doing and sympathized with those fleeing.
The Seaman's Mission at 46 Rue de Forbin, Marseille.
The mission would bring the men in and arrange false papers and identities for them. They would take their uniforms and tie them in sacks with rocks then drop them in the harbour at night time. They would then attempt to move the men through the Pyrenees and down to Gibraltar. The mission was very successful, but it came under suspicion and was forced to close, the work however continued.
The PAT LINE, probably the largest escape line for allied servicemen grew out of the Seaman's mission. It was named after Pat O'Leary, a Belgian resistance member who's real name was Albert Guerisee. He had decided to take on the identity of a Canadian serviceman ( Pat O'Leary ) to protect his family in Belgium. The HQ for the Pat Line was later moved to 21 Rue Roux de Brignoles, Marseille, this was the home and Surgery of George and Fanny Rodocanachi.
The PAT LINE, probably the largest escape line for allied servicemen grew out of the Seaman's mission. It was named after Pat O'Leary, a Belgian resistance member who's real name was Albert Guerisee. He had decided to take on the identity of a Canadian serviceman ( Pat O'Leary ) to protect his family in Belgium. The HQ for the Pat Line was later moved to 21 Rue Roux de Brignoles, Marseille, this was the home and Surgery of George and Fanny Rodocanachi.
Entrance to building where George and Fanny lived, 21 Rue Roux de Brignoles, Marseille.
The Pat Line would help the servicemen by making false identity cards that included their photographs, and provide food and shelter until they could be moved. George and Fanny were by now hiding many escaping men in their own flat where they were asked to wear slippers and not flush the toilet as often as it was used, anything to deter suspicion from outside. The men were not allowed outside, they came from a number of allied countries and most knew no words of French. When the time was ready George or one of the other members would escort them to the station and pass them onto a guide,from here they would be moved via the Pyrenees or by a Submarine off the coast.
George was also working on a medical board that consisted of doctors from other nations, their job was to examine the medical condition of interred servicemen who if found to be unfit for any type of future war service could be repatriated back to Britain. This was an official process and before Marseille came under occupation the Germans had used a French doctor to look at the examinations on their behalf, George saw this as his chance to alter and falsify as many documents as he could to get men back to Britain. Once the Germans had arrived and put their own doctor on the board it became almost impossible, but George would still strongly argue their cases.
By 1942 the Germans had occupied the South of France and it became more dangerous for the Pat Line members to help the escapees, they continued, but at a slower and more wary pace. Suspicion was a dangerous thing, and with George and Fanny being members of The Resistance they were treading on thin ice. They still evaded detection to those hiding in their apartment, George was running a popular surgery from there for refugees and the numbers coming and going acted as a disguise to other activities that took place there. Between mid 1941 and early 1943 George and Fanny had provided a safe house for over 200 servicemen waiting to be moved out of France, the Pat Line is believed to have helped over 600 escape During WW2.
George was also working on a medical board that consisted of doctors from other nations, their job was to examine the medical condition of interred servicemen who if found to be unfit for any type of future war service could be repatriated back to Britain. This was an official process and before Marseille came under occupation the Germans had used a French doctor to look at the examinations on their behalf, George saw this as his chance to alter and falsify as many documents as he could to get men back to Britain. Once the Germans had arrived and put their own doctor on the board it became almost impossible, but George would still strongly argue their cases.
By 1942 the Germans had occupied the South of France and it became more dangerous for the Pat Line members to help the escapees, they continued, but at a slower and more wary pace. Suspicion was a dangerous thing, and with George and Fanny being members of The Resistance they were treading on thin ice. They still evaded detection to those hiding in their apartment, George was running a popular surgery from there for refugees and the numbers coming and going acted as a disguise to other activities that took place there. Between mid 1941 and early 1943 George and Fanny had provided a safe house for over 200 servicemen waiting to be moved out of France, the Pat Line is believed to have helped over 600 escape During WW2.
A map showing the escape routes used by the Pat Line.
There where many other people involved in the Pat Line and I have added a few links where you can read about at the bottom of this page. We know that George was a member of The Resistance and was helping servicemen to escape out of France, he was also working as a doctor and treating refugees who had arrived in Marseille. We shall now talk about something else that he was doing.
George had noticed the plite of the Jewish people and had set out to help them escape from France. He gained himself the position with the USA consulate of examining doctor for the Jewish immigrants, and he then worked tirelessly to ensure the passage to America for as many Jewish people as he could. George realised that the American government would take sick Jewish people who were not fit to work in the work camps in Germany, he then set about faking documents to make as many of them as he could appear sick and unable to work. George used his skills as a doctor to falsify their medical papers, giving them imaginary illnesses and disabilities, he also called on trusted medical colleges to help him with X-Rays, scans and other medical evidence, all false of course.
George also knew that he must work at speed to help as many Jewish people as he could for it would not be long before Marseille was occupied, then it would be almost impossible to get any Jewish people out. We do not know the exact number of Jewish people that George Rodocanachi help gain passage to America and escape from France, but it is believed that the total is more than 2,000. These people would have faced persecution, even death, without the help of the kind doctor Rodocanachi.
George also knew that he must work at speed to help as many Jewish people as he could for it would not be long before Marseille was occupied, then it would be almost impossible to get any Jewish people out. We do not know the exact number of Jewish people that George Rodocanachi help gain passage to America and escape from France, but it is believed that the total is more than 2,000. These people would have faced persecution, even death, without the help of the kind doctor Rodocanachi.
We now know what George was doing to help people, let us not forget that his wife Fanny was also playing a huge part in all of this. By 1942 George was aged 67, he was not a young man and his own health serious. In 1940 he had been diagnosed with Angina, often the pain from the spasms in his chest would affect him deeply, but still he carried on his work. George would work every day from early morning till late at night on his quest to help those in need, after 1941 he could not use his car and had to travel the streets of Marseille tram or foot. Selflessly he put others before himself and his health, spending his days doing his medical job, visiting patients, examining immigrants, gaining false medical certificates and papers, falsifying identities, trying to provide food for the servicemen in hiding, and much much more.
By late 1942 the German Army had occupied Marseille and the work of George and Fanny had to slow down. These where very dangerous times, people were nervous and some ready to save their own skin by informing on others. A number of Pat Line members had been betrayed and arrested by the Gestapo, but still the Rodocanachi's managed to hide what was going on from there apartment. Things however were soon to change for George and Fanny.
By late 1942 the German Army had occupied Marseille and the work of George and Fanny had to slow down. These where very dangerous times, people were nervous and some ready to save their own skin by informing on others. A number of Pat Line members had been betrayed and arrested by the Gestapo, but still the Rodocanachi's managed to hide what was going on from there apartment. Things however were soon to change for George and Fanny.
George Rodocanachi pictured in 1943.
The sentence handed out for resistance members who were found out tended to be imprisonment, beatings, torture, Labour camps and death. When marseille became occupied in November 1942 the dangers for the Pat Line became immense, a number of members were betrayed by their own people who were either double agents or out to save their own skin. Some decided to flee France and on one occasion George was offered passage to England, but refused to go as his wife Fanny was ill and he would not leave her.
On 26th February 1943 George was woken in the early hours by knocking at his door, it was the Gestapo and they had come to arrest him. He was taken to the Gestapo HQ at 425 Rue Paradis in Marseille, here he was questioned, not about his involvement with the Pat Line, but about trivial matters that he had no connection with. The Gestapo had not made a big search of his apartment so we can assume they were not suspicious of his true actions. George was sent to the St Pierre prison in Marseille were he was questioned twice more by the Gestapo. He was never tortured, but did receive punches and blows. The questions still related to events that George had no part in, once he was asked about his involvement with a gambling establishment in Cannes, George had never been to Cannes.
On 26th February 1943 George was woken in the early hours by knocking at his door, it was the Gestapo and they had come to arrest him. He was taken to the Gestapo HQ at 425 Rue Paradis in Marseille, here he was questioned, not about his involvement with the Pat Line, but about trivial matters that he had no connection with. The Gestapo had not made a big search of his apartment so we can assume they were not suspicious of his true actions. George was sent to the St Pierre prison in Marseille were he was questioned twice more by the Gestapo. He was never tortured, but did receive punches and blows. The questions still related to events that George had no part in, once he was asked about his involvement with a gambling establishment in Cannes, George had never been to Cannes.
Something or someone had drawn the Gestapo to George Rodocanachi who was viewed as a threat to them, and without any charges he was kept in confinement. Even in prison George did what he always had done and rose to the challenge, helping to keep moral up with the other inmates through his good humoured attitude, treating anyone he could help and showing patience to many. The Germans respected yet feared this kindly good tempered man who constantly tried to help other prisoners and took it on himself to complain to them about the dreadful conditions that the inmates had to live in. On cold winter days the guards turned a blind eye to George warming his hands in his pockets, this speaks volumes as it was totally forbidden for a prisoner to do this.
Nothing was smooth for George however, on one occasion he was placed in solitary confinement for protecting a prisoner who was being beaten. He also had the distrust and hatred of the infamous brutal Gestapo officer Mrs Berne who disliked his endless attempts to help other, she once said of him " Dr Rodocanachi is a bar of iron, nothing can bend him "
The months passed by and Fanny had to recover from her illness with the added worry about what was happening to her husband George. On 17th December 1943 George was moved to a prison in Compiegne to the North East of Paris. It is believed that he was offered his freedom if he signed a document saying that he would not interfere with any German effort or aid it's enemies, he refused, but why? Maybe it was his pride and belief in his stance, maybe he distrusted the German intentions, or maybe he knew his own health was failing and that his wife Fanny would stand a better chance of surviving without the attentions that he would bring home with him.
On 17th January 1944 George was put aboard one of the dreadful train convoys for transportation, his destination was Buchenvald concentration camp in Germany. Conditions on these trains were horrendous, some would not survive the journey, George did and others spoke of his kindness and good humour along the way.
George Rodocanachi arrived at Buchenvald in poor health, within weeks he was dead. They did not like the fact that George would treat other prisoners who were ill, so they left him outside in the cold winter and sprayed water on him. This resulting in him coming down with pneumonia. Dates differ as to when he died but it is known to be in February 1944 that this amazing, wonderful and compassionate man passed away aged close to his 69th birthday. Records from the camps do not tell very much but there is an account from one of the Pat Line members who saw him at the Buchenvald. The following is the book " Des Capitaines Par Milliers " by Louis H. Nouveau, it relates to ex Pat Line member Louis Nouveau and his meeting at the Buchenvald camp with George.
" Poor, dear Doctor Rodo died in Buchenwald 15 days after I arrived there. He had been arrested not for his activity, or that of his wife, in our organisation, but denounced by someone I do not know, as a Gaullist and also, perhaps, for his activity on the Board.
Dear Dr Rodo, who might have been released from St. Pierre prison in Marseille if he had agreed to sign a paper pledging never to do anything against the Germans, refused to do so.
Arriving at Buchenwald at the end of January 1944, I learned, eight days later, that he was also in one of the blocks of the small camp, but in another section separated by a barrier, in quarantine like me. His arrival preceded my own by a few days.
Despite a gate denying access from one section to the other, I was able to spend three-quarters of an hour in conversation with him and found his head so closely shaved that he appeared bald. A few days later he died of lung congestion [pneumonia].
I went to his block, as soon as I learned of his death. . . that is to say four or five days too late. I was only able to obtain very few details about his end and that a few hours before his death, in his bed, in response to his number being called by the block chief or the clerk, he replied with a sort of humour, saying: 'Good for the crematorium'."
Louis Nouveau
" Poor, dear Doctor Rodo died in Buchenwald 15 days after I arrived there. He had been arrested not for his activity, or that of his wife, in our organisation, but denounced by someone I do not know, as a Gaullist and also, perhaps, for his activity on the Board.
Dear Dr Rodo, who might have been released from St. Pierre prison in Marseille if he had agreed to sign a paper pledging never to do anything against the Germans, refused to do so.
Arriving at Buchenwald at the end of January 1944, I learned, eight days later, that he was also in one of the blocks of the small camp, but in another section separated by a barrier, in quarantine like me. His arrival preceded my own by a few days.
Despite a gate denying access from one section to the other, I was able to spend three-quarters of an hour in conversation with him and found his head so closely shaved that he appeared bald. A few days later he died of lung congestion [pneumonia].
I went to his block, as soon as I learned of his death. . . that is to say four or five days too late. I was only able to obtain very few details about his end and that a few hours before his death, in his bed, in response to his number being called by the block chief or the clerk, he replied with a sort of humour, saying: 'Good for the crematorium'."
Louis Nouveau
The inmate cared for George Rodocanachi at Buchenvald concentration camp. This gives his date of death as 10th February 1944.
Fanny survived detection and moved to England after the war. A few years later she wrote a personal account of her and George's wartime work, leaving out her own remarkable efforts and focusing on those of her beloved husband. Fanny was full of grief and anger over the betrayal that had led to George's death, it is of no surprise that her account praises him so much and that she ignores her own work. In fact Fanny Rodocanachi is worthy of every credit that goes to her husband, she was the one who had to manage everything at their apartment in Marseille while George was out for long hours, his important work outside could only be achieved with hers at their home.
The Rodocanachi apartment was used run a huge escape operation, one word was all it would have taken for it to be discovered. It was Fanny who held it all together, enforcing rules on servicemen hiding there and organising those coming and going. George could be out for long hours so it was Fanny who would deal with other Resistance members who were in and out every day. All of this while having to ensure they were not detected by neighbours and informers. It says so much that the Pat Line trusted her so much that they place the HQ at the apartment. Fanny passed away on 13th April 1959 aged 74 in London.
George and Fanny were truly remarkable, it was their determination and ability to work together as one that saved the safe house from being found out, their efforts and disregard for their own safety saved so many.
Christopher Long is the Great Nephew of Fanny Rodocanachi and has produced a very informative website about her, George and the Pat Line. I would advise anyone interested in this story to visit his site on the link below, it gives far more details than I can put here. Remember to visit the home page and try out all the links which will give you so much information.
http://www.christopherlong.co.uk/per/rodocanachigeorge.html
Christopher's mother Helen Long ( nee Vlasto ) the Niece of Fanny, wrote a book called " Safe Houses Are Dangerous " It tells the account of the escape and evasion line through occupied France during the war.
George may have only spent a short time of his life in Liverpool, but I for one am extremely proud that my city was his birthplace. I would like to see something within the city to remember him.
The entrance to the building were George and Fanny had their apartment, 21 Rue Roux de Brignoles. The building became a tax office and is now a teacher training centre.
In Marseille you can also find the Boulevard Rodocanachi, named after named after George and fittingly close to a hospital. This road was chosen to honour George as other members of the Rodocanachi family owned property here. Most of the road has been redeveloped but the Villa Rodocanachi still stands and can be seen in the photo below.
After the war George was awarded the OBE by the British, Fanny collected his award on his behalf. Fanny herself was awarded the Commendation for Brave Conduct, this is the highest award of it's kind that can be awarded by the British to foreign nationals.
The gratitude of America was bestowed by Dwight D. Eisenhower upon George Rodocanachi for his assisting the escape of allied soldiers.
The Hôtel Dieu hospital in Marseille has a ward named after Doctor George Rodocanachi.
The Rodocanachi's maid Séraphine was awarded a citation by the British Government for the part she played in helping.
Below are listed a few links that may be of interest to the reader, they concern information about the Pat Line and some of it's members.
George and Fanny's only child Constantine passed away aged 73 in 1981 in Geneva, Switzerland.
George's Cousin Paul John Rodocanachi was killed in WW1 while serving with the Royal Flying Corps. On 27th July 1917 his plane was Shot down in the Messines-Wytschaete area of Belgium. Paul a Second Lieutenant had been flying a RE8 with Second Lieutenant N.L Watt as his observer. Watt was mortally wounded but managed to land the plane before dying. Both men are buried next to each other in Torreken Farm Cemetery, Belgium. The CWGC list Paul as being just 17 at the time of his death, he was in fact just short of his 19th birthday. Paul's father John Mathew Rodocanachi had been born in Liverpool in 1854, the family ran Cotton businesses in both Liverpool and Calcutta.
George Zarifi was a nephew of George and Fanny Rodocanachi. He worked for the Pat Line as a guide and Courier until he fell under suspicion by the authorities, the Pat Line helped him flee France to Spain where he was captured and imprisoned for 6 months. He made it back to England where he joined De Gaulles Free French in London. George passed away in 1998 aged 82.
In Remembrance Of George And Fanny Rodocanachi And What They Achieved.
