Information board 14-18 Sambre Rouge - Doctor Emile Hautain

Doctor Emile HAUTAIN, born in 1873, moved to Leernes in 1908. As of August 1914 he set up Red Cross post N° 1284 in Fontaine-l’Evêque. The facility was housed in the building of the municipal girls’ school, rue de l’Enseignement today. The doctor’s wife, Rose Demesse, and their daughter Marguerite were both Red Cross nurses and took in a large number of wounded in their own home. The most critical cases were sent to Fontaine’s city hospital.

Donations poured in : "The cupboards were filled with reserves of all kinds, from dishes to the most trivial of toiletries. Our cellar filled with food and drink and our till filled with silver" - Testimony of Doctor Emile Hautain.

Through his devotion and medical expertise, Doctor Hautain helped to save many lives. In recognition of his work, Doctor Hautain received the Medal of King Albert in 1920. This medal was awarded to citizens for their great charity and humility. He was made Knight of the Order of Leopold and published his account of the battles and conditions which the wounded survived in 1932.

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Source

• Text: Luc Van Waeyenberge
• Photos: Luc Van Waeyenberge