Memorial King Albert I Aalst

Behind the Our Lady Assistance Church (Mijlbeek) is a memorial stone for King Albert I.

On the edge, divided over the 4 sides, is the text:
"This avenue / Albrechtlaan. In / remembrance / to King Albert I "
Also mention his year of birth and death: 1875 - 1934
In the center is the statue of a knight on horseback with helmet and sword.

On October 11, 1914, the decision had been made not to withdraw the Belgian Army to France, but to gather behind the Yser, more specifically the region of Nieuwpoort, Veurne and Diksmuide. There it would also fight, bringing the war of movement to an end and the trench warfare started.
While the government was in exile in Le Havre, King Albert I stayed with his soldiers near the trenches throughout the war. The king stayed a few kilometers from the front in De Panne. In accordance with the constitution, he actually took supreme command over the Belgian armed forces and weighed in on the important decisions to be taken during the campaign.
Albert I went down in Belgian history as a knight-king and soldier-king.

The memorial stone is by Marc De Bruyn (Nieuwerkerken, 1924-2009).

Source: Wikipedia

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Source

• Text: Marie-Christine Vinck
• Photos: Marie-Christine Vinck