Belgian Refugees 1916
During 1915 occasional murmurs of discontent about the Belgian refugees had arisen especially in their contribution to the war effort, and in the lack of workers in particular industries. However restrictions were placed on the employment of refugees in some capacities.
Life in Teignmouth like everywhere had its ups and downs, in nearby Torquay in May a Belgian refugee who had fled from Antwerp attempted to take his own life.
Meanwhile at the Assembly Rooms in Teignmouth a happier event was taking place a "Belgian Concert".
"A concert was given by eminent Belgian artistes in aid of the British Society for the Relief of Wounded Belgian Soldiers.
Every item was loudly applauded, and a large audience showed every manifestation of delight at the really admirable programme presented, the items being of a high standard of excellence. Miss Lynne was responsible for the arrangements."
Teignmouth Post
27th May 1916
A few days later there was another report, a boxed item headed, in large type, BELGIAN REFUGEES the following statement read:
"Much anonymous information has reached us as to the expressions of joy openly made AT ANY NEWS ADVERSE TO ENGLAND and her Allies, by the Refugees in our town.
If these anonymous informants will WRITE full particulars of what they have seen or heard, and SIGN SAME, we shall be pleasedto take the matter up with a view to having these undesirables removed from our town".
Teignmouth Post
June 9th 1916
Presumably the informants were not prepared to surrender their anonymity as no further reports in the paper occurred.
In June an inquest was being held in to a body found on the beach at Teignmouth and Joseph Bus (diamond polisher) a Belgian refugee living at 47, Teign Street gave evidence. He stated he noticed the body from the sea wall on Friday last (16.06.16)."It was partly in the water and about 60 yards from Spray point".
Periodically reports from other parts of the country concerning Belgian refugees confirmed the view that they were still viewed with a mixture of suspicion and fear for example a report from 30.06.1916 concerned 5 Belgian refugees in Enfield charged with being drunk and disorderly and also refusing to work. Also in June two Belgian Refugees from Teignmouth were charged with being drunk in Union Street, Newton Abbot. Yohef Meeiman and Gilton Vernyer admitted to getting "a little drunk" explained through the interpreters. P.C. Goodman said they were rambling and as they were incapable of returning to Teignmouth they were locked up. The two had come to Newton Abbot to visit another Belgian who worked there and having a few pints overstepped the mark. Ordered to pay cost of 4s.6d.
In Shaldon, three Belgian refugees assisted in making flags and banners to decorate Embankment Road as part of an entertainment for wounded soldiers. Both items indicate an event by some Belgian refugees to integrate themselves in local events. In a similar vein two Grand Concerts were held at the Assembly Rooms Teignmouth in aid of wounded Belgian soldiers. The concerts were organised by the grandly named Belgian Artistes Committee and featured 7 leading Belgian artistes including Juliette Autran formerly of the Brussels Opera company and now with the Beecham Opera company.
However, in September an 18 year old refugee Lewis Tuyman was charged with stealing 60lbs of coal from Renwick, Wilton and Co. Ltd of Shaldon an event which raised some of the incipient hostility towards the Belgian refugees. The company must already have suspected coal was being stolen by Belgian refugees as there were notices displayed in Flemish saying not to take the coal. At the court hearing it appeared that Lewis may have been a scapegoat acting for another Belgian "ringleader". The unknown ringleader and Lewis started to steal coal as a boat was unloading and fought with the Renwick, Wilton employee who then ran off, the coal was then loaded into sacks and removed. As the evidence was being given with Cornelius L. Peters of Teignmouth interpreting, Lewis's mother "Throwing up her arms went off in hysterics" and had to be led from court. Evidence was given by 12 year old Eliza Van Dyk who said she had seen the defendant take a little coal dust.
Mr Tuyman pleaded not guilty and explained that he had received his call up papers and would join the Belgian army on October 1st, as a result of this information the case was adjourned for 2 months.
Also in September at an exemption tribunal (held to determine whether employees were essential to work at home) Ponsford's Bakers sought exemption from call up for his assistant. In his evidence he claimed other bakers were using Belgian refugees (presumably at low wages) but his exemption plea was reduced.
Some house owners in Teignmouth were financially benefitting from Belgian refugees staying and in October 1916 other house owners were expecting 2000 troops which again would have offered financial assistance. However, according to the Teignmouth Post " a huge row broke out" as the troops they were expecting had failed to turn up "because the council had been negligent in offering its public facilities to the military authorities".
Some of the Belgian refugees in Teignmouth and Shaldon were about to spend their third Christmas in a foreign country and perhaps they were the lucky ones as news coming out of Belgium during 1916 was not good.
The aftermath of the Battle of Verdun in 1916 marked a turning point in the occupation of Belgium. In August 1916, the German administration began actively considering the idea of forcibly deporting Belgian workers to Germany. The policy, encouraged by the high levels of unemployment in occupied Belgium, marked a wider turn towards more oppressive rule by the German administration.
From the time of the invasion, significant numbers of Belgian men had attempted to flee the occupied territories to join the Belgian army on the Yser front, via the Netherlands which were neutral.
In order to stop this, the Germans began work on a barbed wire and electric fence across the length of the border. Between 2,000 and 3,000 civilians are believed to have been killed attempting to cross the border during the conflict.
Resistance to the German Occupation involved many people in Belgium, perhaps most prominent among them was Gabrielle Petit. She proceeded to collect information about enemy troop movements using a number of false identities.
She was also an active distributor of the clandestine newspaper La Libre Belgique and assisted the underground mail service "Mot du Soldat". She helped several more young men across the Dutch border.
On 1 April 1916, Gabrielle Petit was, at the insistence of German military, shot by a firing squad. Petit's story remained unknown until after the war, when she began to be seen as a martyr for the nation. A statue of Petit was erected in Brussels and this was said to be the first of a working-class woman. In her native Tournai, a square was named after her. Knowledge of what was actually happening at home in Belgium was largely unknown to the refugees in Teignmouth and Shaldon compounded by large amounts of returned mail.
During 1917 The Belgian refugees staying in Teignmouth and Shaldon saw life continue with births, deaths, enlistment in the army, petty squabbles and celebrations. The latter event saw the presentation to the people of Teignmouth of an ornamental vase and base as a tribute of gratitude from the Belgian refugees.
1918 was to be a momentous year, the war that was supposed to be over by Christmas 1914 finally came to an end in November, but it would not be until 1919 that the majority of the refugees would return home.
In March 1918 Teignmouth Urban District Council (TUDC) received the annual report of the War Refugees Committee of its work over the past 12 months. The Committee had dealt with 638 people including 180 Belgian soldiers on leave from the front. One young Belgian soldier Leon Lemmons was killed in action, his family were lodging in Teignmouth and thus shared the grief of local British families who had lost loved ones.
The fit and able men amongst the refugees either joined the Belgian army or had been placed in employment locally or sometimes further afield and had become self-sufficient. There were now, in March 1918, 360 refugees residing in Teignmouth and Shaldon and local householders had benefitted from the money paid for those lodgings, with more offers of accommodation than refugees to take it up.
The work of the War Refugees Committee had been monitored during the year by the Central Authorities and praise was given and in particular for the efforts of Secretary Miss Audrey Lynne.
Miss Lynne was to receive further recognition of her work with the refugees later in the year. Firstly the Teignmouth Post reported in June that "His Majesty the King of the Belgians bestowed on Miss Lynne the Medaille de la Reine Elizabeth". Secondly Miss Lynne was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE). In July the Refugees celebrated the Belgian National Fete Day and Miss Lynne was again the centre of attention. Following the singing of national anthems Miss Lynne was presented with a silver rose bowl inscribed as "a tribute of gratitude from the Belgian refugees of Teignmouth and Shaldon to Miss Audrey Lynne on the occasion of being awarded the Medaille de la Reine Elizabeth". Proudly wearing the medal Miss Lynne also received a bouquet of sweet peas and made a short speech. After the speeches the crowded Teignmouth Town Hall were entertained with a concert with contributions from the refugees.
During September a member of the Belgian Ministry, His Excellency Count Goblet D'Avilia visited Teignmouth addressing the Belgian refugees and thanking the people of Teignmouth and Shaldon for their very good care and support.
The war was still continuing but the Battle of Amiens during the summer proved a turning point for the Allies who from then on continued to advance. Rumours of a German surrender began to circulate but it wouldn't be until November 11th 1918 that the armistice was signed and the war ended. A service to celebrate peace was held at the Church of Our Lady and St. Patrick in Teignmouth, the church was packed and contained many of the Belgian exiles.
The question now on Belgian lips and perhaps also on the lips of the families hosting them was when would they be repatriated. The question was discussed at December's TUDC meeting and although some refugees from the North-East had reportedly already left no official communication regarding the Devon refugees had yet appeared. In January 1919 responsibility for the repatriation of the refugees transferred to the Local Government board and as a result the work of the local war refugee committees ceased.
You can only imagine the frustration felt by the refugees some of whom had been in Britain for over 4 years as plans to go home dragged on. Hopes were raised when an official announcement declared that arrangements were being made to run a special train for refugees to go from Exeter to Tilbury Docks and on to Belgium. These hopes were dashed as the arrangements had to be postponed due to a lack of available boats.
At last on February 22nd 1919, 232 Belgian refugees started arriving from 7.00 am at Teignmouth station to catch the 8.20 train to Exeter and on to Tilbury Docks. The trains conveyed 1298 refugees from Devon but left an estimated 1000 in poor health behind, 50 of these in Teignmouth and Shaldon.
The recently disbanded War Refugees Committee presented its final report to the TUDC March meeting, with a sort of balance sheet covering the previous 4 years. The total amount of money distributed over the 4 years came to £37,366 distributed to 61 local lodging houses and tradesmen. A total of 1331 individual refugees and Belgian soldiers had been dealt with by the committee. Police Superintendent E.C. Carey explained the Belgian Refugees had given no trouble during their stay. The Committee gave its thanks to the matron and staff of the local hospital and to the station master and his staff for their unfailing courtesy and help during the past four years.
The stone urn presented by the Belgian Refugees sits proudly on the Den a permanent reminder of an extraordinary event caused by the First World War. Restoration of the urn was undertaken in 2018.
Malcolm Tipper
October 2018
Teignmouth Ref: Library
Belgian Refugees April 1914 - April 1915
556 557 Committee - Hamilton Young (Chair) Miss. A. Lynne (Secretary)
655 Mr. F.W. Knight (Treasurer)
454 8, Brimley Villas, Crathorne (Hermosa Rd) Salisbury House (Salisbury Terrace)
Rate Payment excused (409)
683 Permission for temporary building in Council Yard at Shaldon to be used as a
church and school (wooden) 1915 - 1916
278 No action to be taken over erection of cross over grave of Belgian child G.87
Unconsecrated ground
450 Use of Town Hall (free) for entertainment for benefit of B.R.
1916 - 1917
267 Application for reduction of rates by Mrs. N. Watson, Coombe Vale House as property
was already being let at reduced rental fee August 1916
236 Charge to be made in respect of a child of Belgian Refugee at Bitton Hospital
249 Application (drawings and sketch) by Mons. Leon Hilst for a small permanent
memorial in the town as a token of gratitude. Eastern corner of the larger Triangle
plot agreed.
629 Gas rental on Crathorne unpaid by Belgian Refugee committee
696 rescinded
1917 - 1918
1918 - 1919
570 Belgian chapel building, Shaldon, letter from M. EJ.F. Tozer
R.C. authorities considering disposal of building
642 Bishop of Plymouth had made arrangements for removal of above building
239 41, Northumberland Place. Belgian Refugees rent being paid , rates cannot
be remitted.
288 Work to be put in hand without delay on Belgian School in Exeter Road.
479 December 1918 Belgians will probably be returning to their own country early
next year
671 War Refugee Committee Report stated that the total sum disbursed among War
Refugees in Teignmouth and Shaldon from the outbreak of war to 25th February
1919 amounted to £37.366
- Monsieur Leon Hilst
- Reverend Father De Snick
- Monsieur Bracke
- Monsieur Schatteman
- Doctor Van Heteren
- Monsieur Montaigne
- Monsieur D’Ans
- Lemmons family
- Dr. Keppell Reade
- Julia Van Den Berghe
- Gabrielle Van Den Berghe
- Jeanne Van Den Berghe
- Josephine De Cooman
- Miss F. Van Osta
- Mevronwen Schoetens
- Miss Van De Steen
- Miss Dansart
- Monsieur Vlaeminck
- R. Bosmans
- Miss Scheetens
- J.Van Aelst
- Miss R.Bosmans
- Claire Carbonelle
- Theophiel Swinnem
- Henri Pallemaerts
- Mr.C.Peters
- De Doncker Family
- Decoster Family
- Goormans Family
- Marcel Van De Walle
- Madame Van Schoor
- Oscar Plehairs
Access to the original registers was kindly provided by the Catholic Church of Teignmouth.
Baptisms
30.03.1915 Elizabeth Maria Meeus daughter of Agusti and Maria Meeus (nee Muvieth)
30.04.1915 Albert G J M Parre son of Thomas and Julia Parre (nee Leconde)
19.06.1915 Joseph M AWuyts son of Joannis and AndalaeWuyts (nee Haouzen)
22.06.1915 Florentine J B Van Leemyutte son of Francis Van Leemyutte and Sidonae (nee Van Erp) note of confirmation in register 02.05.1928 at St Josephs, Antwerp.
24.08.1915 Elisabeth Von Gustel daughter of G and Anna-Maria Von Gustel
Germania De Bruyne daughter of Arthur and Lucille De Bruyne
25.08.1915 Augustus G W Von Rompaey son of Florentine Von Rompaeyand ??
15.09.1915 Elizabeth E Geens daughter of A and Maria Geens(nee De Clerc)
08.10.1915 Ludovic Von Luyck
27.11.1915 Albert J G Blommaerts son of of Emile and Julia Blommaerts
17.01.1916 Albertina Ocquet daughter of
26.01.1916 Albert van Houlselm son of Andreas and Maria Van Houlselm
11.02.1916 Albert A Houfkens son of Leonard and carolineHoufkens
15.02.1916 Elisabeth V Troisfontoume daughter of
18.03.1916 Jerome J Swinnen son of Theophiel and PhillippaSwinnen
20.03.1916 Anna Catherine Heniderychoc daughter of
01.04.1916 Francis Bogaerts son of Francis and Maria Bogaerts
12.06.1916 Johanna Jansson daughter of Joseph and Mathilde Janssen
29.07.1916 Albert Docshe son of John and Johanna Docshe
07.09.1916 Francis Roggeman son of Aloysius and Florence Roggeman
07.09.1916 Carl Joseph Van Je Woumere son of Francis and Anna Van Je Woumere
21.09.1916 Carl Hofkens son of Francis and Regina Hofkens
23.12.1916 Ernest Boey son of Ferdinand and Florence Boey
07.03.1916. Van Gastel daughter of Gustav and Anna Van Gastel
09.04.1917 Maria Swinnen daughter of Theophilus and Maria Swinnen
20.04.1917 Maria Keukeluick daughter of Ludovic and Gabrielle Keukeluick went on to marry Peter Gerard Murcfat from Nieuwport Belgium.
23.06.1917 Maria Francisca Von Luyck daughter of Johanus and Ummae Von Luyck(nee De Janus)
additional note says Maria was married to Petro L V in Eccles B.V.M. LyraeBelgica
12.10.1917 Florentine Monteyne son of Joannus and Maria Monteyne
15.02.1918 Georgette Lemmens daughter of Arthur and Gabrielle Lemmens
02.01.1919 Johannes M A Naegels son of Eugenie A Naegels and Helena Naegels(nee Van Fauaerschot). Johannes married Joanna Van ??? on 04.06.1944
28 births
Marriages
04.06.1918 Maria A E Gosse married Frances Henry Ellwood. Marria was originally from Wettenen
17.08.1918 Rosalie Van De Eynde married Jean De Meyer. Witnesses NathaliaSchoetens of Marlborough House, Shaldon and Francis Charles Neckerspoel
Deaths
03.07.1915 Matilda Sausseus died age 7 buried in the Public Cemetery, Teignmouth
27.01.1917 Catharine Hofkens of Albion Street, Shaldon died aged 83 buried at Ringmore Cemetery
30.09.1917 Ann E Van Shielen died aged 52 buried at Ringmore Cemetery
17.12.1917 Johanna van Leempu from Alexandra Terrace, Teignmouth died aged 68 and was buried in the public cemetery in Teignmouth.
21.12.1917 Johanna Van Seempert buried Teignmouth Public cemetery Aa124
The following names were also recorded but no mention is made of whether or not they were Belgian:
- Von Luyck
- De Bruyne
- Ocquet
- Van Houlsem
- Von Je Woumere
- Van Gastel etc.
There are also some baptism entries that refer to a later marriage in Belgium:
- Dorothea Petrus Von Leemyut born 2nd May 1917 and baptized 12 August 1917 sister of above she was then married on 11th May 1935 to JuglielmoAugustiVan Dem Dyke in the parish of St Joseph Antwerp
- Maria Francisca Von Luyck born 20th June and baptized 23rd June 1917 daughter of Johanius and Ummae Von Luyck nee De Janus additional note says Maria was married to Petro L V??? in Eccles B.V.M. LyraeBelgica
- Johannes Marcellus AureiliusNaegels born 29th December 1918 and babtised 2nd January 1919 son of Eugenie AugustiNaegels and Helena Naegels (nee V FauAerschot. He was married to Joanna Van ?? on 4th June 1944 in Antwerp
Raising funds
On Wednesday 21st October 1914 a Mr. Croydon and others had organised a concert which took place in the Assembly Rooms, a sum of £23 was raised and paid into the bank to form the nucleus of a local Belgian relief fund. Following the concert Mr Bonner announced a meeting would be held at his restaurant on Saturday 24th October to discover what other help could be offered. This meeting was “well attended and enthusiastic” and donations amounting to £5 a week were promised. Teignmouth Steam laundry employees are contributing 5 shillings weekly to the Belgian relief fund and the ladies of Notre Dame School “have kindly offered to educate all Belgian children who arrive in the town, free of charge”.
On Wednesday 3rd November “a dance arranged by the local Belgian Fund Entertainment Committee was held in the Assembly rooms. Messrs. C.Scagell and C.Dyer were M.C.’s to a large company”, from a Western Times report of 06.11.1914.
In January 1915 Teignmouth Post readers discovered that "over 6 millions of people in Belgium are on the verge of starvation”. Fund raising continued with proceeds from a New Year’s Eve ball held at the Assembly Rooms going toward the Belgians at home.
Teignmouth Swimming Club raised £2.9s.6d and for the forthcoming weeks every Sunday evening at the Cinema collections were made for the local Belgian Relief fund. The cinema had raised £26 before ending the arrangement in February.
Early in March a concert by the officers of the East Lancashire Regiment held in Shaldon devoted the funds raised to supporting Belgian refugees in Shaldon. “The selections given by Mons. E.D’Haut (the Belgian accordionist) were much appreciated”. Later in March “several more Belgian families arrived in Teignmouth”.
Princess Marie-Jose's Children's book cover
Local child Arthur Hague remembers that in November 1916 as a present for his 4th birthday he was given a copy of Princess Marie-Joses chidren’s book. The book was published to raise funds to provide milk for Belgian babies behind the Allied front line in Flanders.
The 21st July 1917 saw Belgium’s national day of independence and the refugees organised a collection which raised £24.9s.7d. this sum was divided between the Belgian Red Cross Fund (two-thirds) with the remainder going to the Lord Kitchener Memorial Fund.
