A MONUMENT to commemorate the role of Colchester’s soldiers in an historic First World War battle has been unveiled on the 110-year anniversary of the fighting.
The Battle of Le Cateau occurred at the outbreak of the Great War on August 26, 1914.
XIV Brigade Royal Field Artillery, who were stationed at Colchester’s Barracks, consisted of three Batteries, more than 800 men and 600 horses.
British and French forces had retreated following defeats from German armies, but against overwhelming odds, General Horace Smith-Dorrien of the British II Corps took the bold decision to stand and fight.
Both sides suffered heavy losses, but General Smith-Dorrien delivered a ‘stopping blow’ to the Germans so that the British Expeditionary Force was able to continue its retreat.
Unveiled by Maj Nick Storton, Battery Commander of 93 (Le Cateau) Battery, 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, he described the “forbearance and ruthless determination” to see the project through and the “heroes’ actions” it commemorates.
It tells the story of the soldiers and horses from leaving the barracks to their return across all four sides, with braille writing and a QR code to learn more.
The top is a bronze scale model showing how the barracks would have looked preceding the Great War, placed upon bricks which mimic the chimneys of the Officers’ Quarters.
The delivery of the project was achieved with public funding and support from associations, societies, trusts, organisations, businesses and friends, and the small team of Paul Knappett, Colin Knowles and Linda Green.
Paul, who led the project, said: “It’s a fantastic achievement to unveil it today, but it has been a team effort, and we would never have reached this point without everybody’s support.
“I feel a mixture of lots of things, but I certainly feel extremely proud, and I feel extremely grateful.
“It preserves the history of a very iconic, historic barracks in Colchester.”
Lt Col Ed Rankin, Commander of Colchester Garrison, said: “This monument is at the heart of our community with this wonderful history, and I’m just so pleased to have a community that’s really passionate about celebrating that.
“I hope many people will enjoy this for years to come.”
To add support to the privately funded project visit the website, www.colchesterrab.org
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