The war memorial in Walshoutem

In the early days of 1914 there were mainly German troops passing through, but almost no damage or destruction was caused. In those first years of the war, according to the parish report of the parish priest, there was a lot of prayer, mass was well attended and there was also a lot of communion. However, this particular piety diminished from 1918 onwards and certainly after the joy of the armistice. The German soldiers were not well 'welcomed' during the war years, except in two cafes, which were beaten up after the war. Individual punishments were imposed by the occupying forces for violations and if the farmers did not deliver their crops on time, they were collectively punished. As a result, even those who had enough food had to be supported by the food committee.

Walhoutem supplied 47 soldiers. Four were held prisoner in Germany, five were interned in Holland and the rest went to the Yser front. Four of them were killed. The bells were stolen a few weeks before the armistice. After the armistice, a German soldier was killed by an unintentional shot and was buried in the cemetery according to the Protestant rite.

Jan Rymenams