The British Expeditionary Force began it's deployment to France on 14th August 1914. They concentrated in the area of Maubeuge and Le Cateau and were virtually complete by 20th August when a general advance was ordered by General Joffre.
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| BEF Concentration area |
The area would have been familiar to the predecessors of the BEF Regiments, Marlborough had fought there during the War of Spanish Succession over 200 years previously.
Near the French / Belgian border on the Rue De Mons stands the Malpaquet memorial to commemorate the battle there 11th September 1709 when Marlborough defeated the French.
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| Malpaquet memorial 2014 |
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| BEF pass Malpaquet memorial 1914 |
