Doyen des poilus went off to First World War at 76

He signed up at the age of 76, making him the doyen des poilus - or oldest of the hairy men, as the troops were known.

As commemorations mark the centenary of the end of the war, few outside the Burgundy town will know of its ex-mayor, a civil engineer who joined the army in March 1915.

He had fought in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, reaching captain, and as a sapeur in 1915 demanded to go to the Front.

Joining sappers at Ar­tois, the Somme and Verdun, he dug trenches and rebuilt roads and bridges, often under fire. He was cited for bravery three times and awarded the Croix de Guerre after Verdun.

He refused tasks suited to his age and was reported to be “constantly giving those in whose midst he lived the most beautiful example of military virtues”. The municipal archives in Auxerre have a front-line interview with Mr Surugue, who said: “I was surprised at the Croix de Guerre as I did nothing for it, less than my comrades. They are just honouring my age!”

He added: “The only benefit of age is to have better moral support than the younger ones. I can speak of how I felt in 1870 when we halted a superior army that was formidably organised.”

Auxerre will honour him on November 10 with anciens combattants laying a wreath at his statue. Mayor Guy Férez said: “Charles Surugue had an extraordinary life.

“Fiercely anti-church, he was a visionary mayor, building the market hall, schools, theatres and barracks: he changed the town’s image. His war service was no less extraordinary so he was re-elected mayor in 1919.

“We are going to renovate Place Charles Surugue in the town centre with a plaque to let people know of his service.”