Iron memorial fund

in honour of those that gave their lives

The Mons retreat and infamous rearguard action at Etreux.  The eleven soldiers became trapped behind enemy lines

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This appeal is for donations to erect a memorial to commemorate the eleven British soldiers and the French citizen executed by the Germans in Guise, on 25th February 1915, as well as the village who sheltered them. The site of the memorial is to be in the village of Iron, Aisne, where the soldiers were concealed from the Germans for about 5 months until their discovery and execution.

It’s a story full of daring, intrigue and tragedy. Briefly, in the first few weeks of the WW1 campaign, the soldiers became separated from their regiments in the retreat from Mons and became trapped behind enemy lines. They lived rough in the forests until they were bravely taken in by the villagers of Iron. The were kept hidden in the village before being betrayed to the Germans. The soldiers and one of their principal carers were executed by firing squad in the Chateau at Guise.

Hedley Malloch hmalloch@hotmail.com

David Arrowsmith darrows1@live.co.uk

 

 

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The Germans took retribution by burning properties in Iron and sending some villagers to prisoner of war camps in Germany.

These were very brave soldiers.  They could have surrendered with honour; a quiet life in a PoW camp beckoned.  They refused it and were executed. The villagers of Iron ignored German threats and sheltered them.  They paid with their lives, health and property. Directly and indirectly about 16 people lost their lives in this incident.

We hope, too, that the memorial will commemorate all those British soldiers trapped behind the lines, who did not surrender, and were caught and shot. They are estimated to be some 50-60 of these.  They exemplified the finest traditions of the ‘Old Contemptibles’ – they did not know when they were beaten.  As well as the soldiers, the memorial will commemorate all the French and Belgian citizens who helped them

We encourage you to read the full story here: The Full Story 

Please help us. To make a donation, please click here How to Donate

 

You can also help in other ways: by telling your friends, raising the subject at WFA branch meetings, or asking the local press to help locate descendants of the eleven.