Momerial Cyriaque Victor Gillain

Cyriaque Victor GILLAIN was born in Biesme in 1857.
In 1878 he was admitted to the Royal Military Academy. He became second lieutenant of the artillery but at his request he was transferred to the cavalry a few months later. In 1886 he was admitted to the Belgian War School. Two years later he left school as a lieutenant.
The first years of his career he was in the Congo Free State
In 1896 Gillain returned to Belgium for good. In 1898 he was promoted to captain-commander. In 1900 he became adjutant to Major General Hallet and in 1904 to Major General Mersch. In 1906 he was promoted to major and in 1909 to lieutenant colonel.
On the eve of the First World War in 1913, he was promoted to colonel.

At the time war broke out in August 1914, Gillain was in command of 4th Lancers Regiment. From October 1914 he was in command of the 1st Cavalry Brigade that took part in the Battle of the Yser. Gillain was promoted to Major General in 1915 and Lieutenant General in 1917. He was given command of the 5th Army Division.

On April 11, 1918, Gillain was appointed chief of staff of the Belgian army by King Albert I. He was chosen by the monarch because he had a reputation for saving as many human lives as possible through his actions. Under Gillain's leadership, the Belgian army succeeded in halting the German advance during the Battle of Merkem on April 17, 1918.

For his services he was awarded the Commander's Cross of the Legion of Honor, the most important French decoration, from the French General Foch.
He also received the US Army Distinguished Service Medal.

In his native village Biesme there is a memorial stone:
'Biesmes
November 11, 1968
To Lieutenant-Gl Gillain
Head of the Belgian army E-M
To the army
To the deportees
1914 1918 "

Source: Wikimedia "Belgian soldier in WWI"