Three Legions of Honor in a Single Family: The Story of the Borsat de La Pérouse Family

Military genealogy, Legion of Honor, Family history

23 July 2026 by

Poncet

A family story in the service of France

The files of the Legion of Honour often allow for the tracing of a military deed or an exceptional career. More rarely, they reveal a true family tradition. This is the case in this genealogical research on the Borsat de La Pérouse family, of which three members, raised in the same house at different generations, were awarded the Legion of Honour. From the war of 1870 to the First World War, their paths testify to the transmission of military commitment within the same family.

Genealogical research in civil status records is a first step that can be supplemented with research into military archives, matriculation registers and, where applicable, the Legion of Honour on the Léonore database of the National Archives. It is also advisable to consult the old press in order to obtain a complete chronology of the events related to the military career of the decorated individual.

Victor Abel Henry Borsat de La Pérouse: hero of the siege of Paris

The first man to be awarded is Victor Abel Henry Borsat de La Pérouse.

Born in 1846 in the family home, he completed his military service with the class of 1866. When the Franco-Prussian war broke out, Paris was besieged for more than four months. He was mobilised and took part in the campaign of 1870-1871, notably during the siege of Paris from August 1870.

Anonymous lithograph, The Bombardment of Paris 1871, military events (title of the series), Musée Carnavalet, History of Paris.

During the conflict, he was appointed captain of the Mobile Guard of Ain and then aide-de-camp to General de La Mariouse, a position of trust that led him to assist and accompany his superior in the conduct of operations. His commitment during this decisive period in the history of France was rewarded with the award of the Legion of Honour.

The file for the Legion of Honour is of particular interest, as the matriculation register for the class of 1866 held at the departmental archives of Ain is incomplete. It thus allows for the completion of his military career by detailing his various services and periods of mobilisation.

File for the Legion of Honour of Victor Abel Henry Borsat de la Pérouse, Léonore Database, National Archives, LH//299/43, notice no. L0299043.

An additional avenue would be to obtain his individual file from the Historical Defence Service in Vincennes on the coast GR 5 YE 34520.

Alexandre Charles Emile Borsat de La Pérouse: naval officer in the Far East

The second man is his younger brother, Alexandre Charles Émile Borsat de La Pérouse.

Born in the same house nineteen years after Victor Abel Henry, he grew up in an environment where a military career held significant importance. After the siege of Paris, his elder brother was mobilised in the territorial army for about ten years, keeping alive within the family the memory of military campaigns.

His brother-in-law, Étienne Louis Arbod, is also an inspiring figure. A lieutenant in the marine infantry, he pursues a career overseas as an administrator of indigenous affairs in Cochinchina. With his wife, Anne Marie Lucie Borsat de La Pérouse, sister of Alexandre, he regularly travels the Mediterranean and the Middle East before heading to the Far East. Their life is marked by numerous journeys: one of their children is born aboard a liner en route to Naples, while another is born in the harbour of Saigon. The latter unfortunately passes away in 1882, when Alexandre is seventeen years old.

It is precisely at this age that Alexandre Charles Émile chooses to enlist in the Navy, several years before the age at which most young men complete their military service. This choice likely reflects the influence of the military careers of his brother and brother-in-law, as well as the openness to the world that maritime careers represented at that time.

Article on Alexandre Borsat de la Pérouse, 3 July 1882, journal de l’Ain, Lectura Plus, no. 77, view 2.

Postcard, The New Naval School, Brest, Mozais, Cartorum.

Throughout a career marked by travels, campaigns, and numerous adventures to which I will soon dedicate an article, Alexandre Charles Émile Borsat de La Pérouse sails the seas of the globe.

His journey is marked by the award of the Legion of Honour, which is conferred upon him on 23 September 1893 for his conduct aboard L'Inconstant.

Indeed, on 12 July 1893, while he was a ship's lieutenant, L'Inconstant, accompanied by La Comète, forced the passage of the Menam River (in Thailand) despite the fierce defence and resistance of the Siamese forces. The two ships breached the fortifications at the mouth, facing two forts, seven warships, and a defensive barrier. This decisive action allowed France to impose its naval superiority and led a few weeks later to the signing of a treaty favourable to its interests in Indochina.

L'Inconstant and La Comète navigating up the Meinam, illustration by Rougeron and Vignerot after a watercolour by Alfred Paris, Hachette, 1912.

His Legion of Honour file indicates that an annual pension of 250 francs is granted to him. It also specifies that at this time, his service record is as follows: one year and six months of service on land, one year and six months in ports, two years and six months at anchor, as well as seven years and eight months at sea.

Legion of Honour file of Alexandre Charles Emile Borsat de la Pérouse, Léonore Database, National Archives, LH//299/42, notice no. L0299042.

Here is the decoration found in the attic of the house where Alexandre Charles Emile Borsat de La Pérouse grew up.

Decoration of the Legion of Honour of Alexandre Charles Emile Borsat de La Pérouse

Decoration of the Legion of Honour, Alexandre Charles Emile Borsat de La Pérouse, 23 September 1893, official personal source.

Charles Pierre Arbod Borsat de la Perouse: a third Legion of Honour in the family

The last of the three men to receive this decoration is Charles Pierre Arbod Borsat de la Perouse.

Son of Anne Marie Lucie Borsat de la Pérouse and Etienne Louis Arbod, he was born in 1879 in Cho Lon during a mission of his father in Cochinchina. He grew up without knowing his father but with the image of his uncle Alexandre Charles Emile who regularly wrote him letters like the one found in the departmental archives of Ain.

Transcription :

“My dear Uncle A

I am very happy to learn that you have

resumed your position as second and I hope that

now you are driving out those nasty

cockroaches.”

Passive correspondence, Alexandre Borsat de La Pérouse, Borsat de la Pérouse fund, AD01, 33 J18.

I did not find his Legion of Honour file in the Léonore database of the National Archives. However, his military registration record states that he received the Legion of Honour on 14 November 1916 during the First World War.

The order of the day from the Grand Headquarters describes an officer who, despite a particularly violent bombardment, continues the assault with grenades before manoeuvring his company to take a strongly defended German position. Buried by a shell, he nevertheless refuses to abandon his command.

Here is the complete transcription :

“Training officer, courageous, energetic, particularly distinguished himself by his composure during a bombardment from large German Minnenwerfers.

Knight of the Legion of Honour - 14-11-1916. O/o n° 4861 of the G.Q.G. - Very brave officer commanding the first waves of assault of the Battalion during the assault of 24 October 1916 and finding himself halted on an intact position strongly defended by machine guns, he attacked vigorously with grenades, then executed a skillful manoeuvre that allowed for the removal of the position and the capture of an entire enemy battalion with significant war material - Buried and bruised by a shell, he nevertheless wished to retain command of his company.”

Departmental archives of Ain, BORSSAT DE LAPEROUSE Charles, Pierre (registration number 210) - (1899).

If the Legion of Honour file of Charles Pierre Arbod Borsat de La Pérouse has not yet been found, his military registration record nonetheless allows us to understand the circumstances that earned him this distinction. What I found pleasing during my research was the admiration and mutual inspiration shared by the various members of the Borsat de La Pérouse family. With Victor, Alexandre, and Charles, a whole family history emerges: that of three men, raised in the same house, who each chose to serve their country and were, at different times, rewarded with the Legion of Honour.