Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 4. p 906
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Image Details
| Title | Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 4. p 906 |
|---|---|
| Page number | 906 |
| Date | 1919 |
| Edition | |
| Publisher | Unknown |
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OCR Text
BELGIANS' GRATITUDE.
Commemorative Tablet in Reading Municipal Buildings.
The commemorative tablet offered to the Borough by the Belgian refugees (a photo of which appears below) has been accepted, and will be placed at the entrance to the Public Library. Later it is proposed to place underneath it another brass with the translation of both Flemish and Walloon texts. The tablet is a three-coloured brass and is perhaps the most characteristic of the many Belgian memorial brasses presented in gratitude to the people of England, conveying symbolically as it does the feelings of two nations, the Flemish and Walloon united in one State, Belgium, paying homage to British generosity and friendship. It was designed by Dr. H. Allaeys, of Antwerp, and has been executed with considerable artistic skill by Messrs. Gilkes and Son, Reading. It measures 24 ins. in width and 18 ins. in depth, and is divided into three parts. The central panel contains the dedication to the borough in English: "To the Borough of Reading. Gratefully presented by the Belgian Refugees, 1914-1919. The left part is reserved for the Flemish text and the right for the French, and these texts, though expressing the same feelings, are different in style, each being characteristic of the genius of the Flemish and Walloon respectively. The French text translated reads as follows: -
"To the people of Reading, whose kind and generous efforts helped the Belgians, exiled here during the great war, to forget sometimes the horrors of their devastated country and the calculated cruelty of a remorseless and pitiless foe."
A free translation of the still more vigorous Flemish text runs:-
"In grateful remembrance on behalf of the Belgians, mostly Flemings, who, having escaped from the terrible clutches of the enemy, found here roof and hearth, unwearying patience, and devoted friendship."
Above both texts are displayed the national coats-of-arms of the Flemish and Walloons, the Walloon being the fiery red cock, with the motto "Walloon for ever", and the Flemish the old historical Flemish lion, and the motto "Flanders with the Lion". Surmounting both national emblems is a significant reproduction of the Belgian coat-of-arms, the Belgian Lion above two extending scrolls. The whole composition tends very happily to give expression to the union of the Flemings and Walloons in the single state Belgium.
On Wednesday, April 2nd, 113 Belgians left Reading for Antwerp, and on Saturday, April 5th, 65 left for Ostend. They were seen off on the platform by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr. and Mrs. S. Hayward), Father Kernan, Mr. C. G. Field, the Rev. P. N. Harrison, Mrs. De Doncker, Mrs. Hodgkin, Mr. and Mrs. R. Curtis, Mr. Curtis, jun., and others. Mr. De Doncker was unable to be present. The care of the refugees was largely in the hands of Mr. Curtis and Mr. De Doncker.
Over 500 were housed.
[photo, object] The Memorial Plate which the Belgian Refugees gave to the Town Council in gratitude for the shelter afforded them by the Borough.
[photo, exterior] A HOUSE IN ROULERS WHICH WAS WRECKED BY A BOMB.
[photo, exterior] THE RUINS OF LANGEMARCH CHURCH, 1915.