On the morning of Sunday, 19 December 1943, around 300 German soldiers invaded the Village of Chamelet. The Mayor of Chamelet, Monsieur Sebastian Jean-Marie SONNERY, was arrested and taken away.

Mayor SONNERY never stepped foot in Chamelet again.

He died 120 days later, 1000km from his home in a Nazi Concentration Camp.

This is his story.

The whole story of the deportation is more than a narrative about one man. It will forever be an emotional, controversial and sensitive subject.

No blog could ever convey the balanced argument this story deserves. So, if you, like me, want to learn more about the stories previewed on this site, you will understand why I have saved those details for the Ecrivelo Book – Journeys through War-torn Europe by Bike.

So, please be patient. I still have a few rides to do, a few people to speak to, and a few archives to search – all of which I will share on the blog.

In the meantime, thanks for all your support, and if you have any information that you feel could positively contribute and help generations to come to understand how the actions of those who lived through those dark days helped protect the freedom we enjoy today, then please drop me a line at – ecrivelo@gmail.com