Watch Building Bloc Dubreucq

Part of the extensive military building complex, former grenadier barracks, in eclectic style after a design by architect Jules Jacques Van Ysendijck from 1896, built in 1901-1905.

The Watch Building, at the back of the barracks' parade square, was named after Major-grenadier René Dubreucq, who died on the Yser.
This ardent propagandist of the Belgian colonial enterprise, who died in action in 1914 after a gunshot wound to the abdomen, was secretary of the Colonial Union (1852) and published the work Across the Belgian Congo (1909).
The watch on the Dubreucq building was a gift from the mayor to the military and came from the former protestant temple (formerly the Church of the Augustinians) on the Brouckèreplein.

In the center of the building is a double landing staircase in rustica.
Later, a war monument with memorial plaques was incorporated into this central staircase. Left and right are statues of a grenadier and an infantryman and in the top center a bust of Albert I , 1875-1934.

There are several memorial plaques in the two national languages:
At the top "Bloc Dubreucq – Majoor S.A. with the 2nd Regiment of Grenadiers.
Killed in action at Staden on October 18, 1914 "

To the left of the grenadier hangs a large bronze plaque:
"1940 – 1945 In Memoriam",
Underneath a small white plate: "390 officers, non-commissioned officers, corporals and grenadiers killed for the fatherland".

To the right of the infantryman:
"1914 – 1918
In memory of their 1600 brothers-in-arms who fell on the field of honour.
The Grenadiers of the Great War.
Young grenadiers, be worthy of your elders! †

Below that:
"This memorial plaque was placed on April 22, 1921"
unveiled by H.M.Albert, King of the Belgians.
HRH Prince Leopold led on June 26, 1932
the ceremony of unveiling the tables."

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Source

• Text: Marie-Christine Vinck
• Photos: Marie-Christine Vinck