Deffontaines was shot in the head while commanding his troops in the field on 22 August and died in hospital four days later.

Deffontaines was promoted to chef de bataillon (major) in the 8th Infantry Regiment on 17 April 1898 and joined the staff of 10th Army Corps on 23 November 1900.

[4] Whilst leading his division into battle at Robelmont (near Meix-devant-Virton, Belgium) on 22 August he was shot in the head and grievously wounded.

[2][7][8] His son, Officer Cadet Jean Deffontaines, was also killed in action fighting with the 8th Infantry Division on 10 June 1915.

The tomb was restored by Le Souvenir français, who installed a commemorative plaque, and unveiled on 22 August 2014 by General Guy Delamarre.

[9][10] A rough interpretation of Le Souvenir français's article on his commemoration notes the sad irony of his early passing: "One could also call him 'General Forgotten.'