Here I am working on a painting of  a local man to where I now live. Georges Brodel was born in Aire-sur-la-Lys on 27th November 1886. His parents Jules and Sophie ran a café in the Grand Place in Aire at number 40.

He was recruited in the class of 1906 aged 20 at Saint Omer, matricule 2438, and was posted to the 73rd Régiment d’Infanterie. At the time he was recorded as living in Béthune. He served until 1911, having volunteered for two extra years service. He was recalled to the army with the general mobilisation of 1914, with the same rank of sergeant-major and served throughout the war, fighting at Verdun, the Somme and the battles in Flanders 1917-18. He was wounded in 1916. His unit was awarded the Croix de Guerre, and thus entitled to wear the fourragière of that decoration, and he was  mentioned in despatches and was inscribed  in the Livre d’Or of Verdun  of soldiers who fought at Verdun.  

After the war he worked as an accountant in the ceramic factory in Aire. The second World War saw him active in the Resistance in the Sylvestre Farmer group. He died 9th February 1955.