Memorial André della Faille de Léverghem

This memorial is located in the Diepestraat at the entrance of the bridge.
At the beginning of the First World War, many volunteers joined the Belgian army. One of the most striking figures is André della Faille de Léverghem (Brasschaat, August 5, 1887). As a newlywed and father of a daughter, he went to the army.

On September 26, 1914, things almost went wrong. During a counterattack with his company of his 8th Line Regiment in Oudegem, he got a bullet in the lungs. He survived, was discharged from the army, but re-joined his men on the Yser Front in early 1915. He greatly appreciated his fellow soldiers and was therefore very popular in the regiment.

On May 2, 1917, he was again seriously injured by a shrapnel in the neck. During the recovery leave in France where his family was staying, he saw his second child Arnould being born. But duty called and André went to the front again.
On May 17, 1918, a bullet hit him in the shoulder and there was a final recovery leave.

In October 1918 his unit (20th Line Regiment) was located in the Hansbeke-Merendree zone on the Schipdonk canal. It was open terrain and his company was continuously bombarded by German machine guns and artillery. On October 23, he tried to make progress. They came close to the German position in the Overbroek district, but there the group of soldiers became isolated. Five of them were killed and their lieutenant della Faille was also fatally wounded.

This memorial was inaugurated on September 6, 1959.
Under the Coat of Arms of the 20th Line Regiment it says:
On October 23, 1918 the 5th and 6th Company of the 20th Line Regiment defeated the Overbroek position.

Below the portrait it says:
Lieutenant André della Faille de Léverghem was killed during this battle.

Source: Magazine Local History Circle Nevele