Ernest Meyer

The son of a music teacher, Ernest Meyer enlisted in 1883 in the 12th Cuirassier Regiment. In 1887, he was promoted to second lieutenant of the 2nd Spahi Regiment, light-cavalry regiment of the French army consisting mainly of North-African soldiers. Meyer served in Algeria for more than 10 years and rose to lieutenant during this period. He returned to France in 1898 and married Anne Louise Amélie Clerget one year later. In 1900, Meyer was promoted to captain and made a Knight of the Legion of Honour.

At the 1912 Olympics, Meyer competed in eventing and jumping. In show jumping, he won silver in the team event with his horse Allons-y. With the same horse, he placed equal 12th in the individual eventing and fourth with the team. In the same year, he was promoted to major and was transferred to the 3rd Dragoon Regiment.

In World War I, Meyer became squadron leader in 1914 and lieutenant colonel in 1915. At his own request, he joined the infantry but was wounded in the shoulder by a shrapnel in 1917. Further promoted to colonel, he became commander of the 23rd Infantry Regiment. He was wounded again in combat in 1918, and his leg had to be amputated. Soon after, he was made a Commander of the Legion of Honour and was awarded the Croix de Guerre. After surgery, an infection led to osteomyelitis, which eventually led to his death.