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Monument to the deaths of the First World War dans le Pas-de-Calais

Pas-de-Calais

Monument to the deaths of the First World War

    17 Place Gambetta
    62170 Montreuil-sur-Mer
Crédit photo : Felouch Kotek - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1900
2000
1921
Opening of the monument
1951
Added Names
14 décembre 2012
Registration for historical monuments
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

The monument to the dead in full (Box AD 372): inscription by decree of 14 December 2012

Key figures

Henri-Léon Gréber - Sculptor Author of the group "Recognition".
Edmond Lefebvre du Prey - Minister of Agriculture Chaired the inauguration in 1921.

Origin and history

The monument to the dead of Montreuil-sur-Mer, dedicated to First World War soldiers, was erected in 1921 on Darnétal Square (formerly Place Verte). This choice of location, after discussions, was intended to avoid the proximity to the 1870 monument on Gambetta Square and to preserve a quiet place, conducive to contemplation, unlike the Grande Place animated by markets and fairs.

Inaugurated on 23 October 1921 under the chairmanship of Edmond Lefebvre du Prey, Minister of Agriculture, the monument is a work of sculptor Henri-Léon Gréber. It represents a winged Victoire kissing a Poilu, surmounting an engraved stele of the 108 names of Montreuil soldiers who died in 1914-1918. In 1951, the names of the 18 deaths of World War II and the 4 deaths in Indochina were added.

The monument, surrounded by a gate, has been listed as historical monuments since December 14, 2012. It also symbolizes the recognition of the British authorities, who placed commemorative plaques on town houses in honour of their fallen soldiers at Montreuil-sur-Mer. Its sober and moving style makes it a central place of memory for the municipality.

External links