Northumbrian Gunner: Erquinghem Lys

Sunday, 16 September 2018

Erquinghem Lys - Museum

Situated in Erquinghem-Lys is a museum which tells the story of the town with prime focus on the First and Second World Wars.

Erquninghem Lys Museum

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During World War One the town was briefly occupied by the German Army in October 1914 during the 'Race to the Sea'. It was captured by the British on 16th October and remained a few miles behind the British front line until the German Spring Offensive in April 1918.

Erquinghem Lys 1914

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders digging support trenches
at Erquinghem-Lys. October or November 1914.
© IWM (Q 50225)

In April 1918, the Germans mounted Operation Georgette, their second attack of their Spring Offensive. During the fighting the 1/4th Battalion Duke of Wellingtons were involved in heavy fighting and a counter attack in an attempt to stem the German advance. The Battalion suffered heavy casualties with 15 Officers and 391 other ranks killed, wounded or missing. During the fighting Private Arthur Poulter, from Leeds, was awarded the Victoria Cross for rescuing wounded men whilst under fire from German machine guns, during an artillery barrage.

Private Arthur Poulter VC

Defence of Erquninghem April 1918

Defence of Erquninghem April 1918
Museum painting

The front gave way and the town was occupied by the German Army from April to September 1918.

Erquinghem-Lys
German Map

As a result of the fighting the town was razed to the ground; nothing more than a metre high was left standing.

Erquinghem Lys - Church Ruins

The town remained in German hands until it was retaken by the British in September 1918.

During World War 2, the Town was in the zone of occupation throughout the German Occupation from May 1940 till it was liberated on the 6th / 7th September 1944.