British Empire Memorial Mons

British Empire Memorial to the two battles of Mons

The two Battles of Mons in August 1914 and November 1918 were the first actions fought by British Empire troops during the First World War. As a result, Mons has become a special place of remembrance for the British Expeditionary Force and, more generally, for the population of the British Empire.
This memorial was designed by the architect Edmond Bertiaux of Mons, and commemorates the British soldiers who took part in both battles and the Canadian soldiers who fought in November 1918. It was unveiled on 11 October 1952. Winston Churchill wrote the English text that is engraved upon it. King Baudoin of Belgium, Field Marshal the Earl Alexander of Tunis, the British Minister of Defence, and Victor Maistriau, then mayor of Mons, attended the inauguration ceremony. The memorial is an urn set on a pedestal, containing earth taken from the grave of each British and Canadian soldier killed in the First and the Second Battles of Mons. It was originally erected in the Belfry Park, but was dismantled in 1984 and moved here, a place known as "La Bascule" (the weighbridge) and re-dedicated on 23 August 1986.
This new location was not chosen at random: this crossroads was a major strategic point during the First Battle of Mons. It was defended by the 4th battalion, The Middlesex Regiment, and came under heavy German bombardment during the retreat of the British Expeditionary Force in August 1914.

Source : information board

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!