The minister of veterans affairs has been a cabinet post in France since just after World War I (1914–18).
At times the officeholder has been called Minister of Pensions (Ministre des Pensions), at times Minister of Veterans and Pensions (Ministre des Anciens combattants et pensionnés) and at times Minister for Veterans (Ministre des Anciens combattants).
During World War II (1939–45) the office was renamed to "Veterans and the French Family" and then eliminated in the Vichy government.
General Charles de Gaulle appointed commissioners for pensions and then for prisoners, deportees and refugees in his government in exile.
In March 1974 André Bord became Secretary of State in the Minister of the Army, responsible for Veterans and War Victims