Mons

Mons

Posted: Nov 23, 2008 | Updated: Apr 25, 2022

For the visitor to Mons there are many historic buildings such as churches, chapels, convents or abbeys as Mons was originally a place of pilgrimage. Added to that, the beauty of Mons lies is enhanced with its narrow paved streets and traditional houses.

The two most interesting non-religious buildings are the 15th-century Renaissance style Hôtel de Ville (townhall) and the 87m tall Beffroi (belfry), erected in 1661 and listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999.

To many people the name of Mons will always be associated with World War 1. On August 23 and 24, 1914, Mons was the site of the first battle fought by the British Army in World War I. The British were forced to retreat and the Germans occupied the area until its liberation by the Canadian Corps in the last few days of the war in 1918.


The Highlights

  1. St Symphorien military cemetery a peaceful place to reflect on the tragic waste of war, and see the graves of the first and last Commonwealth soldier to die in WW1.

Posted: Nov 23, 2008 | Updated: Feb 22, 2022

Mons (St Symphorien), Belgium

With yesterday seeing a visit to Eban Emael, the 'impregnable' fortress which fell on the first day of the German invasion of the Low Countries in WW2, and led to the outflanking the French Maginot Line, the military theme of this tour continues with a trip to Mons, the scene of first and last actions of World War I for the British Army. More precisely, we visited the Saint Symphorien military cemetery located just outside of Mons.

St Symphorien Military Cemetery was made by the Germans in August 1914, after the Battle of Mons. It remained in their hands until November 1918, and has the distinction of containing the graves of some of the first and last casualties of the First World War. It contains 227 British soldiers who were killed in 1914 and 2 Canadians who were killed in 1918 - one of whom was the last Commonwealth soldier to die in World War I. The Germans have 284 of their soldiers here.

1) Private George Lawrence Price 256265
2) The German fallen of Mons, 1914
3) Rank does not separate them
4) More German graves
5) The main square of Mons

Travel Belgium

Eben Emael

Eben Emael

Eben Emael

Mons

Mons

Mons

Ypres

Ypres

Ypres

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Other Destinations in Europe

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