War Memorial Lys Battle

One of the bloodiest episodes in the history of Kuurne is undoubtedly the "Battle of the Lys" during the May days of 1940..at the beginning of a four-year war

Those who have experienced it all already belong to the category of the seniors !! So does it still make sense to be reminded of this sad period ???

After war came peace and the young grew up in it. That past is dead and buried, they say, and
"we have to look to the future". Yes, but did our soldiers not fight for that future on the Lys !!

You are free, dear reader, to think back to THE MAY DAYS OF 1940 ... ONE THING IS CERTAIN, THE MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED YOUNG Belgian soldiers who died at Kuurne on the banks of the Lys should not be forgotten. They had sacrificed their lives for our freedom !!

The meaning of the commemoration of the Battle of the Lys remains unchanged: to pay tribute to the heroic resistance of our young soldiers, to all the victims of war, and a commitment to work more and more for peace among all peoples.

Lys Battle Commemoration

1945
Small sober ceremony on the Lys, with some army officers, mayor Constant Deylgat and board members of the veterans.

1947
First Official Commemoration of the "Battle of the Lys"
10.00 h. Reception at the town hall of General Gerard and the representative of the Prince Regent. Presentation of the new flag to the Veterans 1914-18 and 1940-45
10.30 h. On the Marketplace, Mass in the open air by Army Chaplain Houlaert, sermon and flag dedication.

car After mass: tribute to the fallen and civilian victims of the municipality. Unveiling of the memorial on the Lys, with floral tributes by the societies and schoolchildren.
13.00 h. Banquet
3.15 pm. Formation of the procession in the Roterijstraat and Kortrijkstraat. The siren will announce the start.
3.30 pm. Setting the procession in motion with companies and flags. Parade to both monuments and for the government. Speaking engagements by the fellows Fred Wallecan from Menen and André Denhaerinck from Waregem.
6.30 p.m. On the kiosk on the Marketplace: Music concert by the Harmony of the National Warriors' Union from Mouscron, the Royal Harmony St. Cecilia from Lauwe and Moed en Vlijt from Kuurne.
In the evening: Lighting of both monuments and beautiful Art fireworks at Place of the Transported.
Reception at the town hall of the authorities, and the representative of the Prince Regent.

1950
Commemoration with representative of the King Colonel Count André de Meeus d'Argenteuil, General Gerard, Major Bouckaert 12th Line, Chaplain Manaut.
During the Tribute Session, honorary citizenship was awarded to Gen. Ivan Gerard.

1957
Commemoration of the Leie monument and opening of the Twaalfde Liniestraat.

1958
Grand Procession to the Lys Monument with memorial ceremonies and floral tributes.
Unveiling of the NEW WAR MEMORIAL for the fallen of Kuurne from both world wars and the zivielworkers who died in exile from the 1914-18 war.

1968
Parade to both war memorials. Unveiling of the memorial stone Gen. Ivan Gerard. Blowing the Last Post for the deceased General. Laying Down 12 Red Roses by Mrs. Ivan Gerard

1980
Forty years after the battle of the Lys, commemoration in the presence of Colonels Babette, Farcy, Adriaensen, Massart, Hernoë, Gillet, Antheunissen (Comm. 12th L.) graced by the military music chapel of the Interior Forces.

Dannydecock