Avenue Guillaume Detroch – Guillaume Detrochlaan

In the heart of Auderghem lies a street, a mere 100 meters long, that whispers a tale of courage and quiet tragedy. Avenue Guillaume Detroch, connecting Boulevard du Souverain to Rue Jacques Bassem, isn’t just a street. It’s a living memorial to a young man named Guillaume Detroch. Born in Auderghem in 1885, Guillaume lived a simple life, cultivating mushrooms and residing on what was then 1389 Chaussée de Wavre. When the Great War erupted, he volunteered, joining the 1st Regiment of Carabiniers in 1915. Later, he was transferred to the 11th Line Regiment as a machine gunner and sent to the Auvours camp in France. Tragically, his service ended not on the battlefield, but in the quiet waters of the Huisne River in Champagné. A seemingly peaceful setting became the site of an accidental drowning, cutting short his life on July 24, 1915. The city of Auderghem, moved by his sacrifice, sought to honor him. In 1931, thanks to the Bernheim Real Estate Company, plans were set to create a new artery. This artery, originally intended to connect Rue Jacques Bassem to Boulevard du Souverain, needed a name. On November 28, 1931, the municipal council unanimously decided to christen it Avenue Guillaume Detroch. The first building permit for number 3 Avenue Guillaume Detroch was issued on May 6, 1932. Today, as you stroll along this quiet avenue, remember Guillaume. His story is a poignant reminder that even in seemingly mundane places, echoes of courage and sacrifice can be found.