Charles Godillon was an unborn child, when his father was rounded up by the Nazis in Tulle on June 9th 1944. Forced to await confirmation of his hanging, Charles’s father wrote a heartbreaking message to his wife expressing his undying love and a proposal for the name of his soon to be born child.

The horror of the brutal massacre of 99 men in Tulle and the forced deportations of another 149 men, left a deep scar in the town. Apart from the annual memorial, the anguish and pain felt by the families affected were not discussed openly and sometimes not at all.

Charles was left to fend for himself without the love and support of two parents at a time when emotional support and guidance on how to deal with the memory of the tragedy were badly needed.

The town of Tulle has struggled to come to terms with what happened. Charles and his family formed a tight unit after the death of their father, but they rarely discussed their emotions.

Although many families had to ensure a similar fate, there were also those who Charles believed were spared or given additional support due to their relationships with the occupiers or other French government officials.

Although reticent to re-tell his story, Charles believes that leaving evidence of what happened will be important for future generations.