Do you see this weathered stone? This is the Monument aux morts d’Annoeullin. It stands as a silent testament to the sacrifices made by the people of Annoeullin. It’s more than just a war memorial. It’s a living history lesson.
The Monument aux morts d’Annoeullin was first built in 1904. Mayor Oscar Coupey and the municipal council commissioned it. It originally honored victims of workplace accidents. It also remembered children of the town who died in battle. This included conflicts dating back to the First Republic and First Empire. The names of 109 Annoeullinois were inscribed on an obelisk topped with a funerary urn.
In 1921 a transformation began. The town wanted to commemorate the losses of the Great War. They sought a state grant to add statues and brickwork. The additions would have listed the names of those lost in 1914-1918. The state only granted funds for memorials specifically dedicated to World War I casualties. The prefect demanded the original 1904 dedication be changed. A garland was added to obscure the original inscription. This garland remains today.
The architect Horace Pouillet and sculptor Maurice Ringot oversaw the renovations. The project was completed on October 28 1924. The new inscription reads “The town of Annoeullin to its children fallen for right and justice. To the unknown and victims of labor”. This reflects the town’s struggle with the prefect’s orders.
The Monument aux morts d’Annoeullin has been renovated several times. In the 1990s a first renovation took place. Further major renovations happened in 2014. This was for the First World War centenary. The 1924 additions were removed. Two “walls of memory” were built. The original 1904 configuration was largely restored. The statuary representing a grieving miner father and mother was kept. It reflected the town’s pacifist sentiments at the time of its addition.
The Monument aux morts d’Annoeullin is more than just stone and bronze. It’s a powerful reminder of resilience. It’s a symbol of remembrance and a testament to the enduring spirit of Annoeullin. Take a moment to reflect on the stories etched in its stone. Each name is a life lost a community forever changed. Let’s continue our journey.