185 replies to this topic

[hesmond]

I live over in the 7 Valleys part of Pas De Calais ,and they do seem to go for the painted figure thing ? not sure if particular to the north ? i have even seen one complete with trench ! not sure if a newish thing as they never seem a bit tatty .

[BPJermyn]

What an absolutely fantastic thread with great pictures and the history around these monuments.

Well done!!

[magscotabroad]

brucehubbard, on 13 June 2012 - 08:13 PM, said:

When you visit Festubert, have a look at the right hand side of the war memorial.
Engraved there is something I have yet to see anyone else, for it included words to the effect to remember the British heroes who also died for France.
Has anyone seen anything like that on any other French war memorial?

Bruce

Hi Bruce
Was at Festubert (not so far from Bethune)  this afternoon and here are the pictures, I have found another one thanking the Allies and will post it after this one.

To translate the text "For our British heroes who fell for Freedom and Justice."

[magscotabroad]

Here is the second monument I found that thanked the allied troops, it's Vermelles, not far from Loos en Gohelle, between Lens and Bethune

Translation "The town of Vermelles is grateful to its children and to the Allies who fell for Justice and Freedom"

[magscotabroad]

Went to Monchy le Preux near Arras, just looking for their monument and found more than I expected, and couldn't resist posting them.
The first is in  souvenir of Newfoundland, you will understand why, the second is in souvenir of the Officers and Men of the 37th English Division and I did eventually find the French monument.

t

[magscotabroad]

This is the one in Bethune

[magscotabroad]

This is the one in Bethune

[magscotabroad]

This is Cambrin between Bethune and Lens, the French have their own statue of liberty
I'm including the citation as it explains the country's gratitude to the  people of Cambrin for their bravery during shelling

[magscotabroad]

This is Haucourt between Arras and Cambrai, wanted to include it because of the specific British memorial plaque

[magscotabroad]

Mazinghem, near Aire sur la Lys, notice the barbed wire surrounding the monument.

[magscotabroad]

Robecq, near Isbergues, couldn't resist this one because of the British memorial plaque

[magscotabroad]

This is Isbergues, posted especially for the detail of the uniform

[magscotabroad]

Aire sur la Lys

[mandy hall]

Hi Mags

Here are a couple of photos of memorials I took on holiday last year while staying in the Chemin des Dames area

Bray en Laonnais which caught my eye because of the painted French soldier





and Moussy Verneuil the village I stayed in



I am ashamed to say that I have not taken more photos of French Memorials.  I will have a chance to rectify this in a couple of weeks when I am in the Vosages.

Mandy

[magscotabroad]

Last one for today, it's the text that got to me. Busnes between st venant and bethune.

To the glory of the mother of God,, the almighty protectress, the inhabitants of Busnes, protected from the invasion, erected this monument.
Queen of Heaven, welcome our heros,  Mother of sorrow comfort their wives and mothers.

[magscotabroad]

Was coming back from Bethune today and stopped by two or three places.
First Bruay la Buissière, quite a big town and quite a big monument

[magscotabroad]

Then stopped off in Noyelles sous Lens and found quite an amazing one
this is the monument itself, and as you will see with two identical stones on either side

[magscotabroad]

But then on closer inspection found that they were commemorating two totally different events

the first one reads as follows

Under this mound lies 104 victims of the Courrieres mining disaster 10th March 1916
for the victims of work
am also including  a photo of the detail as it also differs to the other one

a wikipedia link to the disaster

http://img502.images...2/dscn0125c.jpg

[magscotabroad]

then on inspection of the second one, it was more of what I was expecting, except for the use of shells

[Ianander]

Mags ,
    Well done great thread and great pictures keep them coming!!

regards
Ian

[magscotabroad]

mandy hall, on 21 June 2012 - 05:57 PM, said:

Hi Mags

Here are a couple of photos of memorials I took on holiday last year while staying in the Chemin des Dames area

Bray en Laonnais which caught my eye because of the painted French soldier





and Moussy Verneuil the village I stayed in



I am ashamed to say that I have not taken more photos of French Memorials.  I will have a chance to rectify this in a couple of weeks when I am in the Vosages.

Mandy

Hi Mandy
look forward to seeing them and hope you have a wonderful time
mags

[magscotabroad]

Was in Douai today and thought the monument was worth showing, but will have to do it in two postings as the detail was really great.

[magscotabroad]

Here is the detail of the monument of Douai

[magscotabroad]

A little village I drove through today, Maing near Valenciennes

[magscotabroad]

This is Biache St Vaast, will do this in two postings because I found the detail worth showing