Memorial Antoine-Adolphe Fonck

This monument commemorates Antoine-Adolphe Fonck, who fell on this very site on Aug. 4th, 1914. He was the first fallen Belgian soldier in World War I.

FONCK Antoine, age 21, brigadier in the 2nd Lanciers regiment.

Antoine Fonck was sent with some Lanciers on reconnaissance to see if the Germans had crossed the border. (The German border in 1914, unlike today, was a lot closer, hence at this spot all the Germans advanced were found. After World War I, as part of the treaty, the borders were shifted and Belgium obtained a piece of Germany in this area.) When he discovered the Germans (Hussars) he dismounted from his horse and opened fire in order to slow down their advance. In the fight that ensued, first his horse was hit. A few hundred meters further on he himself was mortally hit and died on the scene.

Exactly on this spot where his body was found, this monument has been erected.
See allso monument Antoine Fonck at the barracks at the city of Liège and the burial site of Antoine Fonck at Thimister .

The first French soldier killed was towid]149708, corporal André Peugeot[/towid]. The first killed German soldier was under Lieutenant Albert Mayer. Both died fighting each other on Aug. 2nd, 1914 !

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