The Brooding Soldier or "Den Canadien"

The statue of The Brooding Soldier - known in the local Flemish dialect as 'Den Canadien' (The Canadian) - stands at a spot that was known as Vancouver Corner during the First World War. It was here that the Canadians and others fought to regain ground that had been lost during the first gas attack on 22 April 1915. The statue was sculpted by Frederick Chapman Clemeshaw and was inaugurated in 1922. The soldier is resting his hands on the butt of his upturned rifle, in a position known as “arms reversed”. Since at least the 16th century this stance has been a mark of respect and sorrow for fallen warriors.

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