In 2012, we filmed Mireille Fayard in the retirement home of Mimet in the Bouches-du-Rhône. Aged 98, she was the sister of Marius, who died in 2008. Mireille was “still in her right mind” and remembered with precision and delight the stories told to her by her sailor brother. The most incredible and disastrous was that of convoy SL-125, which occurred between 27 and 30 October 1942. Engaged on the “Président Doumer” as a mechanic in March 1939, Marius was one of the 94 sailors who, on 19 July 1940, chose to remain on board the ship requisitioned by the British at Isamaïlia, Egypt. Marius preferred to serve the Allied forces than the Vichy authorities. The latter immediately classified him among “persons whose passage to dissidence or desertion is attested”. Deserter and Resistance fighter! Until the ship sank, Marius took part in all the missions entrusted by the British to the command of the French liner. Mireille had leafed through Marius’ military booklet and commented on some photos of this beloved brother who had died without knowing whether or not he and his fellow soldiers had been used as guinea pigs by the Allied forces. “He talked about it all the time but he never knew the truth… it would be nice if I could find out before I die! I’m counting on you…”, the old lady told us. Mireille unfortunately passed away in 2019 at the age of 104. We had made her this promise and, unfortunately, were unable to keep it… Today, it is for her children and grandchildren in particular that we must solve the enigma of SL 125. They too knew Uncle Marius and even if this story is very distant, they would like to know… We must know the truth for all the descendants of the survivors, but above all for the victims of convoy SL 125!
