A set of American triplets born on the 30th of March 1944, have an interesting connection to Devizes. Their father Private First Class Herbert Bachant was stationed here, deployed as a mechanic with the 94th Armoured filed artillery Battalion of General Patton’s 4th Armoured Division during WWII. Devizes was the last place he stayed before being sent into combat, where he was killed in action in August 1944.
Herbert was in the town when he read the news in the Stars and Stripes newspaper that his daughters Karen, Nancy, and Janet Bachant had been born. News of their birth was publicised widely, triplets being a rare occurrence, and photos were captured of their father looking at a picture of the three babies who were still residing in America. These were the last photos to be taken before he died. Other photos were published of the other soldiers stationed in Devizes alongside the images of Herbert and his young daughters.
After being sent to France, Herbert died in August 1944 at the Battle of Maison Blanche in Saint-Gregoire on the outskirts of Rennes. He was only 33 years old.
Stories such as his are a powerful reminder of the many men and women stationed here who did not return. Karen, Nancy and Janet, who shall be celebrating their 80th birthdays on the 30th of March this year, are returning to the site where their father was killed in action this July. This will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Rennes.
We would like to thank Nancy Bachant and her sisters for sharing these wonderful photos of their father with us to add to our collection.
Herbert Bachant looking at a picture of his newly born triplets, 1944
Herbert Bachant with friends admiring his new daughters