Presbytery Houtem Headquarters Belgian Army 14-18

Since Veurne increasingly came under heavy German artillery fire at the beginning of the war, from 23 January 1915 the headquarters of the Belgian army was transferred to the rectory of Houtem.
It would remain here until October 19, 1918. Today a memorial plaque and an information board commemorate this event.

The memorial plaque has a text in the 2 national languages:
"From January 23, 1915 to October 18, 1918, the Great Headquarters of the Belgian army resided in this presbytery. His Majesty King Albert, Commander in Chief.
De Luit.-Generalen Wielemans (1915-1917) Ruquoy (1917-1918), Gillain (1918), Superiors General of Staff.
This plate was sealed through the mediation of the Belgian Touring Club on September 28, 1928, the tenth anniversary of the first day of the liberation attack."

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Source

• Text: Jhonny Bastiaensen & Marie-Christine Vinck
• Photos: Marie-Christine Vinck (1, 4), Jhonny Bastiaensen (2, 3, 5)