I recently acquired a grouping once belonging to Ludovicus "Louis" Vervecken. It came to me by his daugther, currently living in Herentals. She gave this grouping to me as she had no interest in it. I findit such a pitty to see such historic pieces thrown away by close relatives. Hence, I will elaborate on the man's life, in particular his military service. He was the only child of Auguste Vervecken and Henriette Deneys.
This man, born as Ludovicus Alphonse Vervecken in Berlaer, Belgium on the 17th February 1893, was drafted into the Belgian Army on 19 September 1913. He was attached to the 3 Comp. of the Railway Pioneer Battl. (Génie Battallion de Chemin de Fer, 3 Compagnie/ Bataljon van den Yzerenweg 3e Kompanie). This was much to his liking, as he had been fascinated by trains since his early youth. It is told that he used to go to Herentals on foot just to see trains passing at the station, looking at the people passing by and hearing the wheels rattle.
From 1913, his common name made place for his "N° de la matricule", being 1551. Ludovicus, commonly named Louis by friends and family alike, was now doing his military service for his country. When the German Army invaded Belgium and the First World War took shape, Louis was stationed at Antwerp, still part of the "ataljon van den Yzerenweg 3e Kompanie". He was soon transfered to the 6th Artillery Regiment, part of the 6th Division, in which he served from 4 August 1914 until 1 May 1918. He was then transfered to the 18th Artillery Regiment, as these had taken a serious beating by the German spring offensive in '18. As most of his other fellow comrades and soldiers, this man fought hard near the Yser river. Even though he was just a simple man and Private second class at the war's end, he had done his part to fight of the German Troops.
Even though he had participated in heavy battle and engaged the enemy at close range, he managed to keep un-injured for the entire duration of the war. During on of his unit's actions, he liberated a so-called Grabendolch from a dead German soldier. He wrote of this actions in his letters home and said that the German from which he liberated the dagger couldn't be much older than 16 years.
He once rescued a Walloon Officer, who had been hit by shrapnell and left for dead in no-mans-land. Even though the officer later died of his injuries sustained, Louis was awarded the War Cross for this act of bravery. He would recieve several other honorary awards, including the Yser medal for his time served at the Yser front. Other awards bestowed to him were the common Victory Medal, the Fire Cross, The War Commemorative Medal and The Order of Leopold II, Officer's Cross with crossed swords. His Yser Cross and all award documents have been lost in time, so the daugther says.
As was the case with many soldiers, Ludovicus, once a cheerful man, had turned quiet and introvert by the cruelty and horror of war. During his time at the front, 36 months in total, he had seen things that no man should ever see. He seldomly spoke of his experiences afterwards. Still, he did two books on the First World War. He was discharged of military service on the 15th February 1921, holding the rank of Officer by then.
On the 12th May 1930 he recieved his final letter of the Army, stating that he could not be mobilised again for further military service on the 12th May 1930. He continued to serve the Belgian people by working at the Railroads, a job he devotedly excercised due to his youthly passion for trains.
I thought it would be appropriate to show this grouping and honour this man.
The Grabendolch in the grouping was brought home by Ludovicus after the war. Where or when he obtained it, remains uncertain.
If you would like to see more pictures, feel free to ask.
This man, born as Ludovicus Alphonse Vervecken in Berlaer, Belgium on the 17th February 1893, was drafted into the Belgian Army on 19 September 1913. He was attached to the 3 Comp. of the Railway Pioneer Battl. (Génie Battallion de Chemin de Fer, 3 Compagnie/ Bataljon van den Yzerenweg 3e Kompanie). This was much to his liking, as he had been fascinated by trains since his early youth. It is told that he used to go to Herentals on foot just to see trains passing at the station, looking at the people passing by and hearing the wheels rattle.
From 1913, his common name made place for his "N° de la matricule", being 1551. Ludovicus, commonly named Louis by friends and family alike, was now doing his military service for his country. When the German Army invaded Belgium and the First World War took shape, Louis was stationed at Antwerp, still part of the "ataljon van den Yzerenweg 3e Kompanie". He was soon transfered to the 6th Artillery Regiment, part of the 6th Division, in which he served from 4 August 1914 until 1 May 1918. He was then transfered to the 18th Artillery Regiment, as these had taken a serious beating by the German spring offensive in '18. As most of his other fellow comrades and soldiers, this man fought hard near the Yser river. Even though he was just a simple man and Private second class at the war's end, he had done his part to fight of the German Troops.
Even though he had participated in heavy battle and engaged the enemy at close range, he managed to keep un-injured for the entire duration of the war. During on of his unit's actions, he liberated a so-called Grabendolch from a dead German soldier. He wrote of this actions in his letters home and said that the German from which he liberated the dagger couldn't be much older than 16 years.
He once rescued a Walloon Officer, who had been hit by shrapnell and left for dead in no-mans-land. Even though the officer later died of his injuries sustained, Louis was awarded the War Cross for this act of bravery. He would recieve several other honorary awards, including the Yser medal for his time served at the Yser front. Other awards bestowed to him were the common Victory Medal, the Fire Cross, The War Commemorative Medal and The Order of Leopold II, Officer's Cross with crossed swords. His Yser Cross and all award documents have been lost in time, so the daugther says.
As was the case with many soldiers, Ludovicus, once a cheerful man, had turned quiet and introvert by the cruelty and horror of war. During his time at the front, 36 months in total, he had seen things that no man should ever see. He seldomly spoke of his experiences afterwards. Still, he did two books on the First World War. He was discharged of military service on the 15th February 1921, holding the rank of Officer by then.
On the 12th May 1930 he recieved his final letter of the Army, stating that he could not be mobilised again for further military service on the 12th May 1930. He continued to serve the Belgian people by working at the Railroads, a job he devotedly excercised due to his youthly passion for trains.
I thought it would be appropriate to show this grouping and honour this man.
The Grabendolch in the grouping was brought home by Ludovicus after the war. Where or when he obtained it, remains uncertain.
If you would like to see more pictures, feel free to ask.
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