Mouland Collection

Mark Mouland Wales, 28 May 1995 Date: 28 May 1995

Cafe in Mouland, destroyed by Germans, First World War, 1914. Illustration from The Great War by HW Wilson, Vol I, (London, 1914)

A German encampment at the village of Mouland, near Vise. The rapid advance of the Germans was largely due to the motor vehicles with which they were supplied

Germany cavalry entering Mouland, Belgium
Germans advancing through Belgium at the beginning of World War I. These patrols penetrated scores of villages, burning houses and looting as they went. Date: 1914

Mouland in ruins
Women of the Belgian village of Mouland gather what belongings they can from their burnt out homes following the arrival of German soldiers on their advance through the country in the opening weeks

German soldiers in Mouland
German soldiers leave the Belgian village of Mouland, with the roofless burnt out cottages of the local residents behind them. August 1914

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

In the small village of Mouland, Belgium, a tale of resilience and destruction unfolds. Once known for its quaint cafe run by Mark Mouland, this peaceful town was forever changed during the tumultuous years of the First World War in 1914. As German forces swept through Europe, they left no stone unturned - not even in Mouland. The charming cafe that once served as a gathering place for locals and travelers alike fell victim to their destructive path. Reduced to rubble, it stood as a haunting reminder of the horrors inflicted upon innocent lives. The village itself became an unwitting stage for war's atrocities. A German encampment took root within its borders, casting an ominous shadow over what was once serene countryside. The clatter of Germany cavalry entering Mouland sent shivers down the spines of those who remained. Mouland lay in ruins; its streets scarred by battle wounds and homes shattered by relentless bombings. Amidst this desolation, German soldiers patrolled with cold determination - their presence a constant reminder that normalcy had been stripped away from this once idyllic place. But amidst the chaos and despair emerged tales of bravery and hope - stories like that of Mark Mouland himself. Though his beloved cafe may have crumbled under enemy fire, his spirit endured unbroken. He became a symbol of resilience for his fellow villagers – someone who refused to let adversity define him or his community. Mark Mouland's unwavering courage inspired others to rebuild their shattered lives from scratch – brick by brick – until eventually new foundations were laid where old memories lingered. Today, when we think about "Mouland, " let us remember not just the devastation wrought upon it but also the indomitable human spirit that rose above tragedy. Let us honor those like Mark Mouland whose names may fade into history but whose legacy remains etched in our hearts as symbols of strength against all odds.