The "dying soldier" post is nonsense. It's another wistful (not "whist full") song about a lost love, like "Love Letters in the Sand" or "Harbor Lights." The verse (almost never included) says "Do you recall a year ago tonight?" True, people were being separated in the 1940s, when this song was popular (no, Fats Domino did not write it) -- but there is no connection to France. Proper credit to Vincent Rose (music) and Larry Stock and Al Lewis (lyrics). Glenn Miller had a #1 hit with it. Listen to various versions -- everyone from Gene Autry to Celine Dion -- to see how the meaning is shaded.