French War Cemetery Roeselare

The French military cemetery contains the graves of French soldiers who fell during the First World War in Roeselare and the surrounding area. In total 759 French soldiers are buried in this cemetery.

It is notable that a British soldier is buried among the French graves.

The French soldier Ferdinand Le Hétet died at Roeselare on 19th October 1914, during the retreat of the French army. A major question mark still hangs over the way in which Le Hétet was killed. Alfons Denys asserts that Le Hétet died brutally as a result of gunshots and bayonet wounds inflicted by seven German soldiers.

For the inhabitants of Roeselare, Le Hétet is a veritable hero. Moreover, he was the image of the unceasing resistance to the Germans. A very discreet tribute was paid to him at St Amand’s church.

After the war, Emile Duyvewaardt designed both the mausoleum and a monument to Le Hétet. This very distinctive mausoleum contains a large numbers of symbols. The broken column is a reference to the broken life. The laurel wreath and the soldier’s cross decoration refer to victory. The helmet and the rifle, for their part, symbolise the fallen soldier.

Individual monuments were not authorised. This is what makes Le Hétet’s grave so unique.

Ossuary French soldiers
According to the French graves Department, its description is no longer accurate. 264 unknown French soldiers, rather than 250, are now thought to be buried in the communal grave.

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Source

• Text: Luc Van Waeyenberge & Militaire Begraafplaats uitgegeven door de Dienst voor Toerisme van Roeselare
• Photos: Luc van Waeyenberge