Donations in the showcase

This fine selection from 2023 shows the great diversity in our donations: from the small to the large, from the personal to the precious, both unique and administrative. Donations are used as much as possible in the operation of the museum: in the permanent or temporary exhibitions, in educational activities and in the Research Centre as a subject of study and research. They all contribute to a better understanding of the history of the First World War. With thanks to our donors!

An overview of our donations can be found in our yearbook.

Dirk Cailliau
(BE)

On the 12th of November 1914, the 1st Regiment Zouaves stopped the German attempt to cross the bridge at Noordschote. From 1952, teacher Léon Balduck organised an annual commemoration at that spot. In recognition, he received a badge and a bronze statuette with the Zouaves regiment's motto : “So shoot, in the name of God !” ("Tirez donc, Nom-de-D ... !" )

fam. Sorgeloose
(BE)

Aloïs Sorgeloose from Oostakker belonged to the 3rd Artillery Regiment. His family preserved his war memorabilia with the utmost care. A unique coloured poster with the village's military and civilian dead is also part of his legacy.

Martin Åkesson
(SE)

For 50 years, Martin Åkesson bought First World War militaria he found in and around Ypres and in France. He explained his donation as follows : "I want to donate the objects to Ypres because it feels like these objects are returning to the place where they were part of history".

fam. Maurus
(BE)

Grégoire Maurus from Bruges belonged to the 4th Line Regiment and played trombone in his regiment's music band during the First World War. After more than a hundred years, the trombone is still in very good condition!

fam. Cazeneuve
(FR)

Aurore Fauré-Cazeneuve discovered the war letters, cards, documents and photographs of her grandfather Ernest and her great uncle Alfred Cazeneuve while clearing out her parental home. Alfred died at Franconville on the 24th of August 1914. Ernest was captured in the Kampagne forest near Wijtschate on the 13th of November 1914 and spent time in various camps in Germany. In a number of letters to his parents, Ernest used secret code or invisible ink.

Bruno Boutten
(FR)

At the beginning of the war, Alexandre Chuquet from Aignerville was attached to the 1st Regiment Fusiliers Marins. Alexandre drowned when the French submarine Prairial collided with the English steamer Tropic off Le Havre on the 29th of April 1918 and sank.

Simy Daems & Sonia Govers
(BE)

On the 14th of September 1914, Louis Daems sent a telegram: "In Broechem all well. Coming Soon. Louis." Three weeks later, the young soldier died near Lier. His family kept his memory alive. For the post-war family portrait, father Joannes pinned on his son's badges of honour. Mum Leonie wears the locket with his photo and a miniature horseshoe, sister Marie the small locket made from a uniform button and his portrait.

Marcel Danau
(BE)

At the outbreak of war, Maurice Claerhout from Lotenhulle fled to Edmonton (London) and taught Belgian children. In 1916, he was called up for service. Maurice died on the 20th of September 1918. In 1922, his body was transferred from Passchendaele to Lotenhulle. In Edmonton, he sketched a vision of himself as a school teacher in the classroom in 1928.

Josse Lorgnier du Mesnil
(FR)

Antoine Lorgnier du Mesnil was barely 20 when he fell near Noordschote on the 15th of November 1914. Antoine belonged to the 1st Battalion of the 162nd Régiment d'Infanterie. Early November 1914, the battalion was in the trenches 300 metres west of the canal and just as far from the Maison du Passeur.

fam. Boussery-Van Hest
(BE)

Grenadier Frans Bauweraerts was killed on the 30th of March 1917 in a raid on trench Guillaume near Steenstrate. His body was transferred to the Belgian cemetery in Houthulst in 1923. Hugo Boussery and his wife Hilde Van Nest donated letters, a picture book, a nameplate, a talisman and many documents from Frans.

fam. Kennes
(BE)

Stretcher bearer Jozef Ulens wrote 15 journals with keen observations of frontline and hospital life. The booklets contain poems and beautiful drawings. But above all, the separation from his beloved Marie is seeping from every page. The Kennes family donated all the diaries, documents, memorabilia and drawings. Based on the drawings, C. Cocke, an artist friend, painted some small paintings.

Alice Carlisle
(UK)

Frederick Edmund Brown from Earby was a Wesleyan chaplain. From April 1915 he was attached to the 146th Brigade (49th West Riding Division). From late June 1915 to late December 1915, the brigade was active in the Ypres Salient. Father Brown emigrated to Gibraltar after the war.

Ann Mertens
(BE)

Pierre Mertens from Oetingen served with the 9th Artillery Regiment. He corresponded with Justine Bidart from Camou-Suhast, a small village in the French Basque Country. When he proposed to her after the war, Justine emigrated to Sint-Kwintens-Lennik. Two unique shell casings bear their names and in the beautifully embroidered jacket, a card reads "A l'occasion de ta fête de la Sainte Justine. De tous coeur je vous souhaite pour la prochaine fois en 1919 qu'on fêtera la Sainte Justine ensemble dans un bonheur suprème qui durera pour toute notre vie!"