Wounded Belgians at Retford

1914 cartoon from 'Punch'

Belgian soldiers of 1914

Dogs were often used to tow small loads including machine guns

The Great War: 1914

The Retford, Gainsborough and Worksop Times, 29 October 1914 

A party of six Belgian refugees reached Retford last week, being sent from the Alexandra Palace by the War Refugees Committee to the care of Mr. T. Henry Denman, Retford.

The party comprised of a family of three (father, mother, and daughter), and three soldiers, who have received their discharge from the Belgian Army in consequence of wounds received in action.

The family and one of the soldiers are being cared for by Mrs. Ashworth and members of her family in a house specially prepared for their reception on Moorgate Hill, and Mr Denman has established the two remaining soldiers in lodgings.

One of these, Pte. Francois Ramel, a chemist, although under 18 years of age, volunteered for active service at the outbreak of hostilities. He was shot through the thigh at Melle, and ruptured himself in an effort to get away the guns. He was sent to Bruges Hospital, later to Lierre, and then to Antwerp. On reaching the convalescent stage he was able, with other refugees, to make his way to England, via Ostend and Folkstone.

The other Belgian soldier is Pte. George Brabant, clerk, a reservist, having served his fifteen months with the colours. He was recalled on July 29th, when the mobilisation order was issued. During the retirement of his regiment at Eppegham he was wounded in the elbow, the bullet passing right through the arm. He was taken by the Red Cross to Antwerp. He remained there until Oct 8th, then the Germans began bombarding the city, and with other wounded and convalescents he went to Ostend, and from there came to this country.