Featherstone Square Mesen

The town Mesen is twinned with the New Zealand town of Featherston since 1975. During the First World War a military training camp for New Zealand soldiers was located there.

Text on the monument :
"Commemorating the enduring bonds of friendship between Belgium and New Zealand forged from the service of new Zealanders at the battle of Massines 7 juni 1917."

Monument Samuel Frickleton
Behind St. Nicholas' Church is a plaque commemorating Samuel Frickleton, inaugurated June 7, 2007.

Samuel Frickleton was born in 1891 in Slamannan, Scotland. In 1908 his family immigrated to New Zealand and worked there as a miner.
When the First World War broke out, he enlisted with his four brothers.
He was briefly involved in the 1915 attacks in Gallipoli, but was sent home in November for allegedly medically unfit.
In April 1916 he returned to service and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade.
On June 7, 1917, his battalion takes part in the Mine Battle. During the capture of Messines, Frickleton is slightly injured, but that does not stop him from continuing the attack. He takes matters into his own hands when New Zealand troops are delayed, and single-handedly takes out two German machine gun posts.
For his courageous actions he is awarded a Victoria Cross, the highest British military decoration. During the rest of the attack, he was wounded a second time and was evacuated and taken to a hospital in Great Britain. Due to his injuries, he does not return to the battlefield.
He survives the war and dies in 1971.

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Source

• Text: Marie-Christine Vinck & Luc Van Waeyenberge
• Photos: Luc van Waeyenberge (1), Marie-Christine Vinck (2, 3, 4), Luc Van Waeyenberge (5, 6)
• 1914-1918 - Grote Oorlog in de Westhoek