HAINAUT TOURISM R e m e m b e rin g th e 1 9 1 4 - 1 9 1 8 w ar in H ainaut p ro v in c e
Guide to attractions and heritage sites connected to the Great War
FR / NL / EN
Comines-Warneton / MĂŠmorial Missing & Hyde Park Corner
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Edito Memorial tourism in Hainaut province When we think of the European backdrop to the Great War, the regions of the Marne, the Somme, Verdun and the Yser Front are the sites most commonly associated with the 14-18 conflict and their commemorations. These major offensives are indeed the most striking as they were the scene of trenches of soldiers in their thousands, leaving in their wake a swathe of devastated land and dead bodies. There are other regions however, such as Hainaut, that are well worth exploring for their historical links to the First World War, the visible traces of past events and mankind’s desire to respect our duty to remember. The fighting that took place in the Sambre Valley, Mons and the Comines-Warneton front put Hainaut on the historic and memorial map of the Great War. The purpose of this publication is not to retell the story of the conflict in Hainaut but rather to provide a guide for visitors to explore the main tourist attractions and heritage sites connected to 14-18. They are presented chronologically (from August to October 1914, with a few references to 1918), from East to West geographically. From one hundred year-old military graves to brand new interpretation centres, let us be your guide to Hainaut Province.
Nathalie Brassart Députée provinciale Responsible for culture and tourism
Fabienne Capot Députée provinciale Responsible for culture and tourism
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QUESTIONS PRÉALABLES Why are foreign soldiers buried here, on Belgian soil?
Are memory and tourism incompatible?
From the first few weeks of the 14-18 War, the logistical and symbolic management of the dead was a major concern for the warring nations. After 1918, the British and the Germans refused to allow fallen soldiers to be repatriated, preferring to build military cemeteries. To begin with, France and the United States chose to return the dead to their families, but soon had to abandon this idea due to the enormity of the task; the dead were piled up in their thousands in temporary cemeteries, and many of these were not identifiable, the “unknown”.
The pilgrimage to the battlefields became popular even before the end of the war as the front line was pushed back towards the north. But before long, pilgrims and tourists came up against each other. The first Michelin Guide dedicated to the Marne battlefield was published in 1917. On 4 September 1920, the Journal des mutilés describes “a sight that is both painful and sickening, that of happy tourists, pouring noisily out of coaches”. Today, memorial tourism helps us convert areas marked by drama: regions that were invaded, such as Hainaut, become regions welcoming visitors.
All the cemeteries mentioned in this guide have at least 50 graves connected to the First World War. The different nations standardised the look of the military cemeteries and the soldiers’ graves: a short, square cross for the Germans, a white headstone or cross for the French, and white stone headstones for citizens of the British Empire in 1914 (today encompassed by the Commonwealth), including those from, among others, Canada, South Africa, India, Australian and New Zealand.
All the French military graves in Belgium (14-18 + 40-45) are listed in this document : http://www. consulfrance-bruxelles.org/IMG/pdf/Liste_Cimetieres_militaires_francais-2.pdf All the military graves and cemeteries for the former British Empire (Commonwealth War Graves Commission) are listed at www.cwgc.org
As part of the 14-18 centenary, tourism attractions are enjoying some major changes. Memorial sites have been restored and enhanced by cultural and tourist organisations. The range of attractions have been adapted for the new generations: two major museums/interpretation centres (Mons Memorial Museum and Plugstreet 14-18 Experience) have risen from the ground to offer innovative ways of presenting military history alongside the very human stories associated with them.
All the commemorations organised in Belgium and in the French Community are listed at : www. be14-18.be and www.commemorer14-18.be
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How was Hainaut affected by the events of the 14-18 War? When Germany crossed the border into Belgium on 4 August 1914, its main goal was to get to Paris as quickly as possible. Crossing Belgium was a mere formality in the eyes of the German generals. So three German armies entered Belgium on 4 August 1914: The 1st German Army
(von Kluck’s) would head across Flanders to Antwerp before moving south. The 2nd German Army (von Bülow’s) took Liège before heading to Namur, Charleroi and Mons. The 3rd German Army (Hausen’s) made its way to the Meuse Valley via Famenne and Condroz. At the time, Belgium did not have the troops needed to hold back these three army corps alone, so Great Britain and France would meet the Germans on Belgian soil to defend the neutral status imposed on our nation.
INDEX Chapter 1: SAMBRE ROUGE (RED SAMBRE) Hainaut was initially witness to violent fighting pitting the French against the Germans along the Sambre between 21 and 24 August 1914. This is an oft-forgotten chapter of history as France’s defeat was so violent.
P.6 Chapter 2: MONS 14-18 The second chapter of Hainaut’s involvement in the 14-18 War took place on the battlefield of Mons on 23 August 1914. It was in Mons that the first and last British soldiers (“The First & The Last”) were killed by the Germans.
P.16 Chapter 3: THE COMINES-WARNETON FRONT AND MEMORIAL SITES IN WALLONIE PICARDE A third chapter began at the end of October 1914 when a front line pitched the warring armies along around 750km from the North Sea to the Swiss border. Located at the heart of the front line, Comines-Warneton would suffer the devastation imposed by trench warfare for 4 years.
P.24
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01/SAMBRE ROUGE COMINES WARNETON
MOUSCRON
ESTAIMPUIS
PEC
RUMES
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
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Belle-Motte French military cemetery in Aiseau-Presles Rue Belle Motte, 6250 Aiseau-Presles Collarmont French national cemetery in Carnières Chemin de Warimez, 6150 Anderlues Heuleu French national cemetery in Lobbes Rue du Champs de Bataille, 6540 Lobbes Charleroi-Nord communal cemetery Rue du Presbytère 52, 6000 Charleroi
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10
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12
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Marcinelle communal cemetery Rue des Sarts, 6001 Marcinelle La Louvière town cemetery Rue de la Flache, 7100 La Louvière Erquelinnes communal cemetery Rue Madame, 6560 Erquelinnes Musée des Chasseurs à pieds, Charleroi Avenue Général Michel 1b, 6000 Charleroi
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Routes : Battle of Collarmont Start : rue des Combattants, 6150 Anderlues Routes : Carnières Route Start : 71 rue d’Anderlues, 7141 Carnières Routes : Heroes’ Walk Start : Place communale, 6540 Lobbes Routes : Battle of Gozée Start : Place Communale, 6534 Gozée Routes : Behind the scenes of the Great War Start : Place Communale, 6120 Marbaix-la-Tour Routes : On the battlefield Start : Place Degauque, 6142 Leernes Routes : In the footsteps of the soldier-priest Start : Grand-Place 10, 6500 Beaumont Routes : In the footsteps of the Battle Start : rue Belle Motte, 5070 Fosses-la-Ville
BR
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MONT-DEL'ENCLUS
FLOBECQ ELLEZELLES LESSINES
CELLES CELLES CELLES
CQ
ENGHIEN ENGHIEN FRASNES-LEZ-ANVAING
SILLY SILLY ATH TOURNAI
RUNEHAUT
BRAINEBRAINELE-COMTE LE-COMTE
BRUGELETTE
LEUZE-EN-HAINAUT
CHIÈVRES SOIGNIES SOIGNIES
ÉCAUSSINNES ÉCAUSSINNES
LENS LENS
ANTOING
BELOEIL
SENEFFE SENEFFE
JURBISE
PÉRUWELZ
PONT-À-CELLES PONT-À-CELLES
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LE ROEULX LE ROEULX
MANAGE MANAGE
BERNISSART
QUAREGNON
BOUSSU
CHAPELLE-LEZCHAPELLE-LEZHERLAIMONT HERLAIMONT TRAZEGNIES TRAZEGNIES
LA LOUVIÈRE LA LOUVIÈRE
SAINT-GHISLAIN MONS MONS
MORLANWELZ MORLANWELZ
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COLFONTAINE
DOUR
HONNELLES
ESTINNES ESTINNES
BINCHE BINCHE
ANDERLUES ANDERLUES
03 11 MERBESLE-CHÂTEAU
MONTIGNYMONTIGNYLE-TILLEUL LE-TILLEUL GERPINNES GERPINNES
LOBBES LOBBES
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THUIN THUIN
HAM-SUR-HEURE-NALINNE HAM-SUR-HEURE-NALINNES
ERQUELINNES ERQUELINNES
15 BEAUMONT BEAUMONT
SIVRY-RANCE SIVRY-RANCE
FROIDCHAPELLE FROIDCHAPELLE
CHIMAY CHIMAY
MOMIGNIES MOMIGNIES
AISEAUAISEAUPRESLES PRESLES
CHÂTELET CHÂTELET MARCINELLE MARCINELLE
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QUÉVY QUÉVY
01 FARCIENNES FARCIENNES
05
L'ÉVÊQUE L'ÉVÊQUE
FRAMERIES QUIÉVRAIN
FLEURUS FLEURUS
08 04 CHARLEROI CHARLEROI
02 09 14FONTAINEFONTAINE-
HENSIES
LES BONS LES BONS VILLERS VILLERS
CourcelleS
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After defeating Namur, the 2nd German Army crossed the Sambre on 21 August 1914 to come up against the French troops deployed to this region, make it across the border and get to Paris as quickly as possible. On 21 and 22 August, the forces fought in Tamines, Arsimont, Auvelais and Le Roux, in Namur Province. On 22 August, the first fighting on Hainaut soil broke out in the villages of Roselies, Aiseau, Carnières, Anderlues and Leernes. On 23 August, the fighting continued in Lobbes, Gozée and Marbaix-la-Tour, ending on 24 August in Fontaine Valmont and Montignies-Saint-Christophe. Maubeuge, in France, fell on 7 September. In the area
known as L'Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse, 12,000 French and German soldiers lost their lives. All the towns and villages affected by the fighting along the Sambre have joined forces under the umbrella of 14-18 Sambre Rouge (literally Red Sambre) to shed light on some of the lesser-known events of the first few days of the war. Find out more about the sites, events and memorial routes at www.sambrerouge14-18.be Contacts : Maison du Tourisme Val de Sambre et Thudinie - 0032(0)71.59.69.19 - Place Albert 1er 2, 6530 Thuin - info@mtvaldesambre.org
CEMETERIES 01
Belle-Motte French military cemetery in Aiseau-Presles
This is one of the biggest French military cemeteries on Belgian soil. Not in terms of surface area, but in terms of the number of French soldiers (from mainland France as well as North African colonies) buried there: 4,057 soldiers, mainly from Normandy and Brittany, originally from Rennes, Vitré, Saint-Brieuc and Dinan. The remains of most of these soldiers (2,875) are gathered together in two catacombs. This cemetery is located on the administrative border between Hainaut and the Namur Province, where there are also two French cemeteries : Auvelais (345 soldiers) and Tarcienne (4,962 soldiers). Rue Belle Motte, 6250 Aiseau-Presles
50°24'12.57"N, 4°36'12.58"E
Free access
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Sambre rouge
Collarmont French 02 national cemetery in Carnières On 22 August 1914, the infantry of General Sordet’s regiment took up their position in Anderlues, on the Collarmont promontory that separates the Haie and the Haine Valleys. The goal was to hold back the inexorable advance of the German army, and help the cavalry retreat to the French border. The 248 French soldiers who died during this battle lie here.
Chemin de Warimez, 6150 Anderlues
03
50°25’28.49"N, 4°15'32.79"E
Free access
50°20'20.03"N, 4°15'13.93"E
Free access
Heuleu French national cemetery in Lobbes
On 23 August 1914, French infantry regiments and dragoon squadrons endured volleys of German cannon fire. The superior German firepower forced the French to retreat towards the south. Here lie the remains of 226 soldiers, originally mainly from Bordeaux or Vendée.
Rue du Champs de Bataille, 6540 Lobbes
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10
04
Charleroi-Nord communal cemetery
This communal cemetery houses the graves of 93 French soldiers and 270 citizens of the British Empire (79 of whom were Australian). Most of these soldiers died as prisoners of war between 1914 and 1918. Some of them even died after the armistice, in 1919, because of the injuries received before the end of the war. Alongside the military graves, this cemetery is also home to a number of noteworthy civilian monuments that illustrate architectural fashions from the middle of the 19th century onwards.
Rue du Presbytère 52, 6000 Charleroi
50°22'42.95"N, 4°26'38.41"E
05
Free access 8am-4pm
Marcinelle communal cemetery
This cemetery houses the remains of 27 Frenchmen, 49 citizens of the British Empire and 286 Germans who died in 1914 during the German offensive (most of the French) then in 1918 before the end of the war (mostly the British and the Germans). The annual ceremony on 15 October brings together Ambassadors from these three nations. The cemetery also houses imposing square Belgian graves dating from the period after the 40-45 war and a large number of the bodies of the 262 minors who died in the Bois du Cazier disaster on 8 August 1956. The former colliery is next to the cemetery.
Rue des Sarts, 6001 Marcinelle
50°22'42.95"N, 4°26'38.41"E
Free access 8am-4pm
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Sambre rouge
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La Louvière town cemetery
The 55 British soldiers buried in this cemetery all died after the armistice between December 1918 and April 1919 following the fighting to win back Belgian land. This cemetery also houses the graves of 9 unknown Russians who might have been prisoners of war from the front line in Champagne where 40,000 Russian soldiers were stationed in 1916 before they were dispersed after the 1917 revolution.
Rue de la Flache, 7100 La Louvière
50°28'54.88"N, 4°12'11.84"E
07
Free access 8am-6pm (01/0330/09) – 9am-5pm (01/10-29/02)
Erquelinnes communal cemetery
This cemetery has a special lawn area honouring the military and civilian victims of the 14-18 War. It also houses the graves of 66 soldiers from the British Empire who died in October and November 1918. 3 Frenchmen and 11 Germans who have not been identified (“Ein deutscher soldat”) have also been buried in this communal cemetery.
Rue Madame, 6560 Erquelinnes
50°18'44.69"N, 4°7'55.43"E
Free access 8am-17pm
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SITES AND MUSEUMS 08
Musée des Chasseurs à pieds de Charleroi
Located in the entrance of the Caporal Léon Trésignies (a hero of the Great War) barracks in Charleroi, the museum presents an overview of the region’s history through twelve infantry regiments that have been in existence since 1830 until the present day. The great hall is exclusively dedicated to the two World Wars and the liberation in 1944. The different periods are illustrated by objects, uniforms, documents, paintings and lithographs, equipment and genuine weapons.
Avenue Général Michel 1b, 6000 Charleroi 2pm-5pm (Monday and Thursday), 10am-1pm (Saturday
50°24'40.15"N, 4°27'2.76"E
0032(0)71.30.07.48
Full price : 2€
www.chasseurs-a-pied-belges.be
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Sambre rouge
ROUTES Memorial routes The website www.sambrerouge14-18.be suggests a dozen different routes you can use to explore the history and traces of the Sambre battles. You can also download the mobile app for the routes from there, along with photos, documents and video and audio clips related to the themes covered by these routes.
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Battle of Collarmont
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Carnières Route
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Heroes’ Walk
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Battle of Gozée
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Behind the scenes of the Great War
Walking route covering 4.6km leaving from Anderlues cemetery Rue des Combattants, 6150 Anderlues Walking route covering 6.5km leaving from the viewpoint indicator in Carnières 71 rue d'Anderlues, 7141 Carnières, opposite La Jardinerie Walking route covering 4.6km leaving from the Monument to the dead in Lobbes Place communale, 6540 Lobbes Walking route covering 4km (10.2km if joined with Marbaix-la-Tour) leaving from the Monument to the dead in Gozée Place Communale, 6534 Gozée
Walking route covering 6.2km (10.2km if joined with Gozée) leaving from the church in Marbaix-la-Tour Place Communale, 6120 Marbaix-la-Tour
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On the battlefield
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In the footsteps of the soldier-priest
Walking route covering 4.4km leaving from the Maison de la Laïcité de Leernes Place Degauque, 6142 Leernes
Walking route covering 7km leaving from Beaumont Tourist Information Office Grand-Place 10, 6500 Beaumont
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In the footsteps of the Battle
Driving route covering 18.4km across the Plaine de la Belle-Motte, leaving from the French cemetery. Rue Belle Motte, 5070 Fosses-la-Ville
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MAJOR events 22 august 2014
Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse.
22 > 24 august 2014 Roselies
COMMeMORATION
Official commemorations of the fighting in the Sambre region
http://www.sambrerouge14-18.be/agenda/inauguration-officielles-commmorations/
RE-ENACTMENT
Bivouacs and battles of Roselies and Arsimont
www.sambrerouge14-18.be/agenda/reconstitution-des-bivouacs-et-des-batailles-de-roselies-et-darsimont/
22 august > 16 september 2014
EXHIBITION
23 > 24 August 2014
GUIDED TOUR
Solre-sur-Sambre
Anderlues-Carnières Merbes-le-Château Fontaine-l’Evêque
23 > 24 AOÛT 2014 Ham-sur-Heure
23 > 24 August 2014 Lobbes
23 > 24 August 2014 Gozée
Le grenier aux images (The image loft)
www.sambrerouge14-18.be/agenda/exposition-photos-erquelinnes/
Narrated walks in the footsteps of the battle
www.sambrerouge14-18.be/agenda/promenades-contees-marchesaux-flambeaux/
RE-ENACTMENT
Bivouac, onlookers and entertainment
www.sambrerouge14-18.be/agenda/bivouac-militaire-14-18/
THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE IN A TRAM Life during the Occupation
www.sambrerouge14-18.be/agenda/animations-theatrales-dans-lesvoitures-de-tram/
EXHIBITION
La vie sous les avis (Life behind the announcements)
www.sambrerouge14-18.be/agenda/exposition-la-vie-sous-les-avis/
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24 August 2014 Gozée
23 August > 15 december 2014
MULTIMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT 3D show (by Dreamwall)
http://www.sambrerouge14-18.be/agenda/spectacle-3d-gozee/
EXHIBITION
Couillet (Centre de culture scientifique at the ULB)
Soudain le chaos. Les Archives de Charleroi racontent Août 14 (Suddenly chaos. The Charleroi archives tell the story of August 1914)
31 August 2014
evenT
Beaumont (Parc de Paridaens)
www.sambrerouge14-18.be/agenda/exposition-soudain-le-chaos-lesarchives-de-charleroi-racontent-aout-14/
Poilu’s meal with an orchestral performance of songs from 14-18 www.sambrerouge14-18.be/agenda/repas-du-poilu/
04 october > 13 december 2014
EXHIBITION
12 november > 10 december 2014
EXHIBITION
Charleroi (Musée des Beaux-Arts)
La Louvière (Tourist Information Office)
Putain de Guerre (Damn War)
www.sambrerouge14-18.be/agenda/exposition-putain-de-guerre/
Août 1914, les moissons sont tachées de sang (August 1914, the crops are stained with blood) www.sambrerouge14-18.be/agenda/exposition-aout-1914-les-moissons-sont-tachees-de-sang/
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02/ MONS 14-18
COMINES WARNETON
MOUSCRON
ESTAIMPUIS
PEC
01
St. Symphorien British and German military cemetery Rue Nestor Dehon, 7030 Mons RUMES
02
03
Hautrage British military cemetery Grand’Route de Mons, 7334 Hautrage (Saint-Ghislain) Mons communal cemetery Chemin de la Procession, 7000 Mons
04
Mons Memorial Museum Boulevard Dolez, 7000 Mons
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Routes : Guide to the Mons battlefield Départ: Grand’Place, 7000 Mons
BR
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MONT-DEL'ENCLUS
FLOBECQ ELLEZELLES LESSINES
CELLES CELLES CELLES
CQ
ENGHIEN ENGHIEN FRASNES-LEZ-ANVAING
SILLY SILLY ATH TOURNAI
RUNEHAUT
BRAINEBRAINELE-COMTE LE-COMTE
BRUGELETTE
LEUZE-EN-HAINAUT
CHIÈVRES SOIGNIES SOIGNIES
ÉCAUSSINNES ÉCAUSSINNES
LENS LENS
ANTOING
BELOEIL
SENEFFE SENEFFE
JURBISE
PÉRUWELZ
PONT-À-CELLES PONT-À-CELLES
02
LE ROEULX LE ROEULX
MANAGE MANAGE
03 04 05
BERNISSART SAINT-GHISLAIN QUAREGNON
BOUSSU
MONS MONS
MORLANWELZ MORLANWELZ CHARLEROI CHARLEROI
HENSIES COLFONTAINE
DOUR
HONNELLES
FARCIENNES FARCIENNES AISEAUAISEAUPRESLES PRESLES
FONTAINEFONTAINEL'ÉVÊQUE L'ÉVÊQUE
FRAMERIES QUIÉVRAIN
FLEURUS FLEURUS
CHAPELLE-LEZCHAPELLE-LEZHERLAIMONT HERLAIMONT TRAZEGNIES TRAZEGNIES
LA LOUVIÈRE LA LOUVIÈRE
01
LES BONS LES BONS VILLERS VILLERS
CourcelleS
ESTINNES ESTINNES
BINCHE BINCHE
ANDERLUES ANDERLUES
CHÂTELET CHÂTELET MARCINELLE MARCINELLE MONTIGNYMONTIGNYLE-TILLEUL LE-TILLEUL
QUÉVY QUÉVY MERBESLE-CHÂTEAU
GERPINNES GERPINNES
LOBBES LOBBES THUIN THUIN
HAM-SUR-HEURE-NALINNE HAM-SUR-HEURE-NALINNES
ERQUELINNES ERQUELINNES
BEAUMONT BEAUMONT
SIVRY-RANCE SIVRY-RANCE
FROIDCHAPELLE FROIDCHAPELLE
CHIMAY CHIMAY
MOMIGNIES MOMIGNIES
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The city of Mons still looms large in the British collective memory. Firstly thanks to the Legend of the Angels which established its reputation; during the evening of 23 August, armed angels are supposed to have slowed down the Germans’ progress and helped the British withdraw. Then there are the battles of Mons, referred to as “the First and the Last”: it was in Mons in 1914 that the British armies met the German troops for the first time and suffered their first loss (John Parr). In 1918, it was also in Mons that the Canadian troops liberated the city on 11 November, the day of the armistice, and the day on which the last soldier from the British Empire (George Lawrence Price) died in the fighting.
This example of manoeuvre warfare in August 1914 went down in the annals after the surprising retreat by the British. On 24 August, the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) withdrew when faced with the German’s superior numbers. In 13 days, the British managed to retreat 400km while also countering German offensives: this was the “Great Retreat”. These men, who had landed at Le Havre on 9 August 1914, took up their position one month later on the front along the Marne. Find out more about the sites, events and memorial routes at www.visitmons.be & www. mons.be/decouvrir/histoire/1914-1918 Contacts : Maison du Tourisme de la Région de Mons - 0032(0)65.33.55.80 - Grand’Place 22, 7000 Mons - info.tourisme@ville.mons.be - co memorations2014@ville.mons.be
CEMETERIES 01
St. Symphorien British and German military cemetery
This cemetery is a commemorative site that is unique in a number of ways. The most remarkable is the fact that the first and the last British soldiers who died in Mons are buried here. As well as this, it is a bi-national cemetery (284 German soldiers + 229 soldiers from the British Empire). Like most of the bi-national cemeteries in Belgium, in 1916 it was originally a German cemetery.
Rue Nestor Dehon, 7030 Mons
50°25'57.63"N, 4°0'40.18"E
Free access - Closed from 31/07 to 06/08/2014
02/
Mons 14-18
Hautrage British military 02 cemetery Most of the soldiers buried here died in 1914 in the fighting that took place in the region. After the armistice, 24 new British graves and 85 German ones were moved to this cemetery. There are now 235 British and 538 German graves, 355 of which are for unknown soldiers.
Grand’Route de Mons, 7334 Hautrage
03
50°28'21.51"N, 3°47'1.98"E
Free access
Mons communal cemetery
In 1914, the German military authorities decided to build an extension to the north of the Mons communal cemetery. After the war, all the soldiers would be brought together here in this cemetery: 74 Russian soldiers, 24 French soldiers, 14 Italian soldiers, 9 Romanian soldiers, 2 Belgian soldiers, 3 German soldiers and 393 soldiers from the British Empire. The bodies of the Italian and French soldiers went on to be repatriated to their native countries.
Chemin de la Procession, 7000 Mons
50°27'34.15"N, 3°58'29.11"E
Free access 9am-4pm
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SITES AND MUSEUMS 04
Mons Memorial Museum
This museum will invite visitors of all ages to question the realities of war. They will be immersed into the day-to-day lives of soldiers and civilians in times of war. The MMM will be a space for inter-generational interaction right at the heart of a memorial area marked by the two world wars that turned the 20th century upside down.
Boulevard Dolez, 7000 Mons
50°27'0.41"N, 3°57'24.69"E
OPENING: SPRING 2015
ROUTES 05
Guide to the Mons battlefield
Explore the monuments and plaques commemorating the Battle of Mons. There are two different routes available. The Guide published by the Mons Tourist Information Office is packed with all the historic information related to 10 points of interest. Hainaut Tourisme also has a GPX file (walking GPS) and a downloadable guide for tourists on bikes. Starting place : Grand’Place de Mons - Contact Hainaut Rando (Province de Hainaut) : 065/36.04.64 - info.rando@hainaut.be - Free of charge www.tourismegps.be - www.visitmons.be
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The Great War. Bodies, Weapons and Peace: 1914-1918 Memorial route
This Interreg project will be offering visitors the opportunity to take a physical and philosophical journey focusing on a historical event shared by Belgium and France. The multimedia tools provided to visitors will include a website and an app compatible with all types of smartphone to help you prepare for and organise your stay. More info at www.visitmons.be/fr/decouvrir/mons-14-18/item/191351-projet-interreg-iv-ala-grande-guerre-corps-armes-et-paix
02/
Mons 14-18
Les Anges de Mons / Marcel Gillis Š Collection de la Ville de Mons
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22
major events 28 june > 14 SEPTEMBer 2014 Mons
GUIDED TOUR
Guided tour of the key sites of the Battle of Mons in a double decker bus Explore the battlefield sites from a genuine British double decker bus, accompanied by a professional tour guide (FR/ EN). Leaving from the Grand-Place in Mons, every Saturday and Sunday. http://www.visitmons.be/fr/decouvrir/mons-14-18
1ER > 24 August 2014
ENTERTAINMENT
03 AugusT > 11 NOVEMBer 2014
EXHIBITION
Mons (Grand’Place)
Mons (Maison de la Mémoire)
04 August 2014
Mons (Cimetière de Saint-Symphorien, Place du Parc et Grand’Place de Mons)
3D screening about the Angels of Mons
1914-2014: La Bataille de Mons vue par les Montois (19142014: The Battle of Mons as seen by the people of Mons) www.mmemoire.be
COMMeMORATION
Visit by representatives of the Belgian and British governments to St. Symphorien
www.monsmemorialmuseum.mons.be/events/commemorations-2014
04 August 2014 23 August 2014 14 SEPTEMBer 2014
EXHIBITION
Mons
www.viadolorosa.be
20 > 22 august 2014
RE-ENACTMENT
Mons (Parc du Beffroi et Site de la Bascule)
The Via Dolorosa project bus is in town (Mons, Comines-Warneton, Zonnebeke, Diksmuide)
Military camp of British soldiers from 1914
02/
Mons 14-18
23 August 2014 Mons
COMMeMORATION
Ceremonies for the centenary of the Battle of Mons
www.monsmemorialmuseum.mons.be/events/commemorations-2014
23 August 2014
OPEN DAY and DEMONSTRATION
23 August 2014
COMMEMORATIVE CONCERT
22 August > 23 november 2014
EXHIBITION
Saint Symphorien (Mons)
Mons (Grand’Place)
Mons (BAM)
22 August > 23 november 2014 Mons (BAM)
by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Military music
La bataille de Mons. Les objets témoignent (The Battle of Mons. Objects bearing witness) www.bam.mons.be/expositions/a-venir/la-bataille-de-mons
EXHIBITION
Signes des temps. Œuvres visionnaires d'avant 1914 (Signs of the times. Visionary works of art pre-1014) www.bam.mons.be/expositions/a-venir/signes-des-temps
22 August > 23 november 2014
EXHIBITION
12 july > 16 november 2014
EXHIBITION
Mons (BAM)
The First and the Last (commemorative art competition)
http://www.bam.mons.be/expositions/a-venir/the-first-and-the-last
Mons (Salle Saint-Georges)
Fritz Haber, la science comme arme de guerre (Fritz Haber, science as a weapon of war)
11 november 2014
COMMeMORATION
Mons
www.sallesaintgeorges.mons.be/expositions/a-venir/fritz-haber-lascience-comme-arme-de-guerre
Signature of the Armistice
www.monsmemorialmuseum.mons.be/events/commemorations-2014
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03/COMINESWARNETON LE FRONT DE COMINES-WARNETON ET LES LIEUX DE MÉMOIRE EN WALLONIE PICARDE
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British military cemeteries Hyde Park Corner and Berks Extension N365, 7782 Comines-Warneton
Strand Military British military cemetery N365, 7782 Comines-Warneton
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17 other British cemeteries 7782 Comines Warneton
Monument commemorating the Christmas Truce in Comines-Warneton Chemin du Mont de la Hutte, 7784 Comines-Warneton Sud de Tournai communal cemetery Chaussée de Willemeau, 7500 Tournai Monument des Vendéens in Tournai Avenue du Commandant Delahaye, 7500 Tournai Leuze-en-Hainaut communal cemetery Avenue des Héros Leuzois, 7900 Leuze-en-Hainaut
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Plugstreet 14-18 Experience Rue de Messines 156, 7782 Ploegsteert Blockhaus Pioneer Museum Rue des Arts, 7780 Comines Military History Museum, Tournai Rue Roc Saint Nicaise, 59-61, 7500 Tournai Route : Comines-Warneton 14-18 Remembrance - Dans la roue du Souvenir (In the wheel of Memory) Départ : Office du Tourisme de
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01 02 03 04 08 09 11 COMINES WARNETON
MONT-DEL'ENCLUS
MOUSCRON
FLOBECQ ELLEZELLES
LESSI
CELLES CELLES CELLES
ESTAIMPUIS PECQ
FRASNES-LEZ-ANVAING
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RUMES
ATH
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TOURNAI
BRU
LEUZE-EN-HAINAUT
CHIÈVRES
ANTOING
BELOEIL BRUNEHAUT
J
PÉRUWELZ
BERNISSART
SAINT-GHIS
QUAR
BOUSSU HENSIES
FRA QUIÉVRAIN
COLFONTAINE
DOUR
HONNELLES
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As of the end of October 1914, a front line divided the warring armies for 4 years along around 750km, from the North Sea to the Swiss border. The eastern line, between Dixmude and Compiègne, was defined at the beginning of October 1914. The front line had German troops on one side and French (mainly up to Lens) and British on the other (mainly between Lens and Dixmude – going through the current town of Comines-Warneton and bypassing Ypres).
The site of what is now CominesWarneton was intersected by the front line for the duration of the war and was heavily involved in all the major battles that indelibly marked the history of the region (Ypres 1914, Ypres 1915, Crête de Messines-Wytschaete 1917, Battle of Passchendaele etc.). Find out more about the sites, events and memorial routes at www.villedecomineswarneton.be/tourisme & www.visitwapi.be Contacts : Maison du Tourisme de la Wallonie picarde - 0032(0)69.35.42.85 - Placette aux oignons 20, 7500 Tournai - info@visitwapi.be
CEMETERIES The significant number of soldiers buried in Comines-Warneton (nearly 6,950) can be explained by the duration of the conflict and the stationing of British Empire troops on the front, as well as by the growing violence of the fighting over the course of the war. It began with bullets and bayonets; it would end with the technological racket of shells, tanks and lethal gases. The large number of military cemeteries can be explained by the measures taken by the British to convert most of the temporary cemeteries built during the war into military ones without changing their location.
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British military cemeteries Hyde Park Corner and Berks Extension
These are the region’s most famous cemeteries. Hyde Park Corner houses a monument dedicated to the memory of the soldiers whose bodies were never found: 11,367 names are engraved on the walls of the Memorial to the Missing. Soldiers abandoned in the No Man’s Land between two trenches, annihilated by the explosion of an artillery shell or buried under the earth thrown up by these shells and by the mud from the battlefield. The graves of 81 British soldiers, 180 Australians, 80 New Zealanders, 149 Canadians and 4 Germans can be found here. On the other side of the road, the Royal Berks Extension contains the graves of 467 British soldiers.
N365, 7782 Comines-Warneton
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50°44'15.98"N, 2°52'56.47"E
Free access
Strand Military British military cemetery
This is the largest military cemetery in Hainaut Province as it houses the graves of 738 British soldiers, 289 Australians, 89 New Zealanders, 26 Canadians, 1 South African and 11 Germans. The Strand was the name given to a trench that crossed the wood in Ploegsteert, the entrance to which was near this cemetery.
N365, 7782 Comines-Warneton
50°43'58.23"N, 2°52'48.99"E
Free access
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The 17 other British cemeteries managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission are spread throughout the Comines-Warneton area. We will just give you the numbers of the soldiers honoured, the address and the geographical location.
St. Quentin Cabaret
Lancashire Cottage
London Rifle Brigade
Prowse Point Military
La Plus Douve Farm
Rifle House
462 graves from the 14-18 War 321 British, 7 Australians, 64 New Zealanders, 68 Canadians, 2 Germans. Saint Quentin 26-32, 7782 Ploegsteert 50°45'25.5"N, 2°51'22.3"E Free access
353 graves from the 14-18 War 263 British, 38 Australians, 34 New Zealanders, 18 Germans. Rue d’Armentières 78A, 7782 Ploegsteert 50°43'15.8"N, 2°52'56.8"E Free access
345 graves from the 14-18 War 101 British, 86 Australians, 61 New Zealanders, 88 Canadians, 9 Germans. Plus Douve 30, 7782 Comines-W. 50°45'14.4"N, 2°51'48.7"E Free access
Tancrez Farm
335 graves from the 14-18 War 307 British, 19 Australians, 3 New Zealanders, 4 South Africans, 2 Germans. Rue du Touquet 224, 7780 Comines-W. 50°42'34.5"N, 2°54'06.9"E Free access
269 graves from the 14-18 War 231 British, 23 Australians, 2 Canadians, 13 Germans. Route de Ploegsteert 60, 7782 Comines W. 50°43'45.0"N, 2°53'52.2"E Free access
236 graves from the 14-18 War 168 British, 13 Australians, 42 New Zealanders, 1 Canadian, 12 Germans. Route de Neuve Eglise 22, 7784 Comines-W. 50°44'39.3"N, 2°53'56.4"E Free access
230 graves from the 14-18 War 229 British, 1 Canadian. Chemin du Mont de la Hutte, 7784 Comines Warneton 50°44'26.3"N, 2°53'59.6"E Free access
Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery
218 graves from the 14-18 War 218 British. Chemin de la Blanche, 7784 Comines-W. 50°43'08.1"N, 2°53'55.0"E Free access
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Ration Farm Cemetery
(La Plus Douve) 202 graves from the 14-18 War 186 British, 12 Australians, 4 New Zealanders, 1 German. Plus Douve, 7784 Comines-Warneton 50°45'14.7"N 2°51'48.6"E Free access
Motor Car Corner
132 graves from the 14-18 War 38 British, 9 Australians, 84 New Zealanders, 1 German. Drèves des Rabecques 2, 7783 Comines-W. 50°42'34.1"N, 2°53'35.2"E Free access
Mud Corner Underhill Farm
190 graves from the 14-18 War 103 British, 47 Australians, 39 New Zealanders, 1 Canadian. Rue du Petit Pont 6, 7782 Comines-Warneton 50°44'27.6"N, 2°52'11.8"E Free access
Gunners’ Farm
179 graves from the 14-18 War 163 British, 2 Australians, 1 New Zealander, 9 South Africans, 4 Germans. Chemin de la Blanche 50-76, 7782 Comines-W. 50°43'05.4"N, 2°53'47.3"E Free access
Ploegsteert Wood
163 graves from the 14-18 War 117 British, 18 New Zealanders, 28 Canadians. Bois de Ploegsteert, 7784 Comines-W. 50°44'13.6"N, 2°54'01.5"E Free access
83 graves from the 14-18 War 31 Australians, 52 New Zealanders. Chemin du Mont de la Hutte, 7784 Comines-W. 50°44'31.7"N, 2°53'54.8"E Free access
Toronto Avenue Cemetry
78 graves from the 14-18 War 78 Australians Bois de Ploegsteert, 7784 Comines-W. 50°44'27.7"N, 2°53'59.9"E Free access
Le Touquet Railway Crossing 74 graves from the 14-18 War 74 British. 7782 Comines-W. 50°42'40.5"N, 2°54'42.5"E Free access
Churchyard
7 graves from the 14-18 War 7 British. Place de la Rabecque, 7783 Comines-W. 50°43'33.7"N, 2°52'47.9"E Free access
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Monument commemorating the Christmas Truce in Comines-Warneton
A modest wooden cross planted at Christmas in 1999 by the Khaki Chums (a re-enactment society) commemorates the temporary truce that was respected in this exact spot between the Germans and the British on 25 November 1914. The large number of footballs laid at the foot of the cross are in memory of the friendly game played between the warring armies during this truce. With the support of UEFA, a more solemn monument will be unveiled here on 19 December 2014. Chemin du Mont de la Hutte, 7784 Comines-W.
50°44'39.78"N, 2°54'9.12"E
Free access
OTHER COMMEMORATIVE MONUMENTS AND CEMETERIES IN WALLONIE PICARDE 05
Sud de Tournai communal cemetery
Tournai was occupied by the Germans from 23 August 1914 until 8 November 1918, and the Sud Cemetery was gradually extended during the war. It is home to the graves of Polish, Portuguese and Italian prisoners and a total of 117 Russian graves. This cemetery is also the resting place for the bodies of 689 soldiers from the British Empire. Many bodies were moved here from sixty or so other communal cemeteries in Belgium. Chaussée de Willemeau, 7500 Tournai
50°35'48.12"N, 3°22'35.66"E
Free access
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Monument des Vendéens in Tournai
In 1924, the remains of 53 French soldiers, most of whom were from La Vendée, were brought to the catacombs for the “Vendéens”. Most of these soldiers who were called up for the first or second time were aged 40 or more, and they died on 24 August 1914 during the district of Morel in Tournai.
Avenue du Commandant Delahaye, 7500 Tournai
50°36'38.56"N, 3°24'1.78"E
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Free access
Leuze-en-Hainaut communal cemetery
In the Commonwealth area of this communal cemetery lie the bodies of 57 British and 1 New Zealander soldiers who died between April 1918 and July 1919.
Avenue des Héros Leuzois, 7900 Leuze-en-H.
50°35'56.55"N, 3°37'55.16"E
Free access
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Plugstreet 14-18 Experience
Interactive interpretation Centre in Ploegsteert The Interpretation Centre focuses on the lives of soldiers and civilians. A glass pyramid marks the entrance to the Centre, and its semi-underground construction reminds us of the catacombs that are now inaccessible. Three other themes directly linked to the presence of Australian soldiers are also dealt with in a simple, modern setting: the Battle of Messines, the winter of 1917-1918 and the catacombs. Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm except Wednesdays, 1pm to 5pm / 1st Friday of the month, 10am to 7pm / Weekends, 10am to 6pm (from 1 April to 30 September) or 10am to 5pm (1 October to 31 March). 0032.56.484.000 - info@rememberplugstreet.com www.plugstreet1418.com
Rue de Messines 156, 7782 Ploegsteert
50°44'12.8"N, 2°52'51.2"E
Full price: €5
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Blockhaus Pioneer Museum
Buried in the embankment, covered in ivy, the German blockhaus built in the town centre shad been all but forgotten until a local history group converted it into a museum. It is an unusual experience to step into a First World War bunker without having anything to fear. There are also three small rooms where you can look at documents telling the stories of the lives of the “pioneering” German soldiers from 1914-1918. This museum is next door to the other, better known one, dedicated to the region’s ribbon making activities. www.villedecomines-warneton.be/tourisme/a-visiter/ musees/le-musee-ab-blockhaus-pionnier-14-18-bb +32(0)56 55 80 81 – f.maekelberg@belgacom.net Throughout the year, by appointment via the Tourist Information Office on +32(0)56 55 56 00
Rue des Arts, 7780 Comines
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50°46'0.03"N, 3° 0'6.62"E
Full price: 1€
Military History Museum, Tournai
Founded in 1930, the Military History Museum is housed in an 18th century private mansion not far from the Grand-Place. It offers visitors a journey through the military history of Tournai and its residents from 1792 to 1945. November to March, 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm. The museums are closed on Tuesdays and Sunday mornings. April to October, 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5.30pm. The museums are closed on Tuesdays. + 32 69 21 19 66 - musee.armes@tournai.be www.tournai.be/musee-armes
Rue Roc Saint Nicaise, 59-61, 7500 Tournai
50°46'0.03"N, 3° 0'6.62"E
Full price : 2,60€
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Comines-Warneton 14-18 Remembrance - Dans la roue du Souvenir (In the wheel of Memory) Explore the main memorial sites related to the First World War in Comines-Warneton. A GPX file (walking GPS) and practical guides are available to download from www.tourismegps.be to help you find your way around the area. Leaving from: Comines-Warneton Tourist Information Office (Moulin Soete) 40km / 3 hours excluding visits to the sites Easy route on roads and the RAVeL network Contact Hainaut Rando (Province de Hainaut): 065/36.04.64 - info.rando@hainaut.be Free of charge
major events 15 may 2014 > 22 february 2015 Comines-Warneton (Musée de la Rubanerie)
24 may > 24 december 2014 Ath (Office de Tourisme d’Ath)
28 june 2014 > 04 january 2015
Tournai (Musée d’Histoire militaire)
EXHIBITION
Ribbon making in wartime… Comines, industry and people in 1914-1918 http://larubanerie.wordpress.com
EXhibition
Regards croisés sur la 1ère Guerre Mondiale (Different perspectives of the First World War) http://www.ath.be/default.asp?V_DOC_ID=10919
EXHIBITION
Tournai, August 1914, une ville plongée dans la guerre (a town immersed into the war)
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13 & 20 september 11 november 20 december 2014
EXHIBITION
Comines-Warneton
www.viadolorosa.be
12 september > 04 october 2014
EXHIBITION
Comines-Warneton (Musée de la Rubanerie)
The Via Dolorosa project bus is in town (Mons, Comines-Warneton, Zonnebeke, Diksmuide)
Tranchées; Œuvres au fusain de John Bulteel (Trenches; John Bulteel’s charcoals) http://larubanerie.wordpress.com
12 > 13 september 2014
GUIDED WALK
19 september > 24 december 2014
exhibition
Ploegsteert
Written memories of 14-18 (Heritage Days in Wallonia) office.tourisme.comines-warneton@belgacom.net
Ploegsteert (Plugstreet 14-18 Experience)
Old Bill et les caricatures du Lieutenant Bruce Bairnfather (Old Bill and the caricatures of Lieutenant Bruce Bairnfather)
17 OCTOBer 2014
EVENT
Entre Nieuwpoort et Ploegsteert
www.plugstreet1418.com/
Gone West : 800 torchbearers on the front line www.plugstreet1418.be www.gonewest.be
01 > 15 november 2014
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION
11 november 2014
COMMeMORATION
11 november 2014
REMEMBRANCE HALF-MARATHON
19-20-21 décember 2014
COMMeMORATIONS
Ploegsteert (Plugstreet 14-18 Experience)
Ploegsteert, Warneton, Comines
Ploegsteert
Ploegsteert
La Trêve de Noël (The Christmas Truce) www.plugstreet1418.be
Ceremonies commemorating the Armistice f.maekelberg@belgacom.net
www.mto.be
Remembering the Plugstreet Christmas Truce www.plugtreeet1418.com
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HAINAUT CULTURE TOURISME HAINAUT PROVINCE TOURISM FEDERATION www.hainauttourisme.be 31, Rue des Clercs 7000 Mons - 065/36.04.64 – federation.tourisme@hainaut.be www.facebook.com/hainauttourisme
Crédits photos : Hainaut Tourisme - C. Carpentier / WBT JP Remy / C. Warzée / Archives de la Ville de Charleroi / Design graphique : arkam.be.