The war memorial, .. despite the frugality of the people of Tremelo

The portal of the church is always open to those who wish to visit the Baptistery of Damien. Probably people carelessly pass by the large war memorial. Tremelo suffered unusually during the First World War. Some 200 houses were burnt down, not to mention the murders during those first days of August and the deportation of civilians to Germany.

Pastor Van Winkel called for a memorial to be erected. The necessary funds would be collected by subscription. The income was very disappointing. Only 25% of the families participated. Was there a reason for this frugality? Did the residents desperately need their money after those difficult years? Was Tremelo not as Catholic as one might suspect? Or did the people of Tremelo think that they had already given enough to the banquet that the association of veterans had organized? The fact is that a second round of begging had to be organized, among those who had already registered. The fact that no attempt was made to persuade the large group of non-donors speaks volumes for the atmosphere that prevailed in this regard. In the end, enough money was raised to take the cheapest offer, that of Van De Capelle from Anderlecht. The inauguration took place on All Souls' Day 1920.

It has become a typical patriotic monument. The lions represent the vigilance of the homeland. Mary, mother of Sorrows, offers consolation. The red marble represents the blood of the victims and the fallen. The laurel wreath tells us that this suffering has not been in vain: we have conquered evil.

Jan Rymenams