Belgian War Grave Our

The old cemetery next to the church contains a Belgian war grave from the First World War:

"God - Fatherland
Pious memory of the Abbot Joseph DURY
Ordained a priest on August 10, 1911
Fallen gloriously in the field of Honor
on October 3, 1918 at the age of 30 years
The profundis "

Joseph DURY (° 1888) studied at the seminary in Namur and after his ordination he taught at the college Saint-Pierre in Bouillon.
He was mobilized in Liège on August 1, 1914 as a 2nd class soldier - auxiliary troops - stretcher bearer in the 5th company of the 14th line regiment.
As a stretcher bearer he was involved in the defense of the city of Antwerp, then he went to the trenches on the Yzer (Diksmuide, Pervijze, Ramskapelle, Merkem…).
In 1916 he was wounded on his right wrist by a bullet from a machine gun.
Because of his dedication and long presence at the front, he was awarded the War Cross with palms in 1917.
On September 28, 1918, during the major offensive at the forest of Houthulst, he was fatally wounded in the chest.
Initially he was buried along the road between Westrozebeke and Oostnieuwkerke.
Later he was transferred to his hometown Our.
Posthumously he received several decorations, including Knight of the Order of Léopold II for bravery and self-sacrifice in his function of priest-stretcher bearer.

Source: Archives de l'Evêché de Namur