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home > Dossin Barracks > 1781-1940
1781 – 1940
In the years from 1781 to 1940, the Kazerne Dossin was used solely for military purposes. It had a number of different functions including serving as a depot for the regiments of the Grenadiers, Karabiniers and Derde Jagers. In 1914 it was used as a weapon depository retaining this function until 1940. In 1918 the barracks acted as a sub-depot of the 7th Linieregiment and between 1920 and 1940 this regiment became permanently quartered here. In 1936 the barracks were officially named after the commander of this regiment during WW I, viz Luitenant General Emile de Dossin de Saint Georges (1854 – 1936).
This officer, from Liège, was respected throughout Belgium as a war hero. From 17th to 31st October 1914 he led the heroic 2nd Army Division at the Battle of the IJzer. Albert I, King of the Belgians, asked him to stand fast for as long as possible and so enable the rest of the army to retreat to safety. Showing exceptional gallantry he and his men were able to defend the area around Lombardsijde, Ramskapelle and Saint Georges for a comparatively long period. In their retreat, on the initiative of General Dossin, they succeeded in further delaying the German advance by letting the river IJzer break its banks and flood the surrounding area.
For their courage the regiment was awarded the Kruis van de Leopoldsorde by the King. General Dossin, himself, was appointed, to Groot Officier in the Leopoldsorde and in 1932 he was granted the title of Baron de Saint Georges. Two years before his death whilst addressing a circle of friends, veterans of the IJzer Campaign, he said, in his closing remarks, “ Perhaps we should give thanks to the Battle of the IJzer that we are still Belgians.”
(Source: Major L. Tasnier, "Les notes d’un combattant – Le général Baron Dossin de Saint Georges", Le courrier de l’armée, 1943.)
We would like to express our gratitude to the ‘Friends of the Administration’, and in particular Adjutant Major Frans Marchal.
jmdv@telenet.be