Memorial Civilian Martyrs Mons

Memorial tot he civilian martyrs of 23 August 1914

The Battle of Mons began at around 8.30 am on 23 August 1914, and although the war mostly involved soldiers, civilians would not be spared.
Two corps of the British army were posted along the Mons-Condé Canal at the village of Nimy, facing three corps of the German army. The British Expeditionary Force put up fierce resistance, but its positions quickly became untenable. The German artillery bombardment intensified, and the British troops were ordered to retreat towards Mons at 10.30 am. The German army crossed the canal into Nimy in pursuit and terrorised the village, setting fire to 108 houses and massacring the villagers. They then took the surviving civilians hostage and forced them to walk ahead of them as a human shield. The small British rearguard that had remained behind to engage the Germans ceased fire. The grim German procession continued until it reached the Grand-Place in Mons, where the mayor, Jean Lescarts, was taken hostage and placed at its head. The column then set off across the city until it arrived here, where it came under fire from soldiers of the 12th battalion, The Lincolnshire Regiment. The hostages tried to take cover as the Germans returned fire, and utter chaos ensued. Four of the hostages were killed on the spot and others died later from their wounds.
On 10 July 1927, a bronze plaque designed by the Mons architect Edmond Bertiaux was unveiled at the site of this drama in the presence of Queen Elisabeth of the Belgians.

Source : information board

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