poppy field

Brussels Branch

2024

To book a place on a battlefield tour contact Steve Grant on Brussels.Publicity@rbl.community.

If there is a commemoration you think we should share with the branch, send an email and we will publish and share for all. 

Recent and Upcoming Events

Date Event

8 November

First Friday of the Month.

Cancelled due to proximity to the RBL Remembrance Sunday commemoration.

10 November

RBL Remembrance Sunday commemoration at CWGC Heverlee (10.45am). Please allow plenty of time to park as this ceremony is very popular.

22 November

Brussels Branch AGM at the Fraternelle des Agents Parachutistes, Rue du Châtelain 46, 1050 Ixelles (18:30-20:00). All members welcome. Cash bar.

6 December

First Friday of the Month (venue tbc).

8 December

The Military Wives Choir, Belgium will give a recital at St Anthony’s Church, Oudstrijderslaan 23/25, Kraainem, to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Advance tickets €7.50, €8 on the door, includes refreshments. Children under-12 free. Contact Belgium@militarywiveschoirs.org 

 

Past Events

Date Event

7 January

Annual Pegasus Walk in memory of British troops and Belgian SAS who fought in and around Bure and Tellin during the Battle of the Bulge.

12 January

Ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the death of Belgian Resistance hero Walthère Dewé. Chapelle Saint-Maurice, Liège.

2 February

First Friday of the Month social, from 6.30pm. Fraternelle des Agents Parachutistes (Rue du Châtelain 46, 1050 Ixelles).

17 February

1100 – Committee Meeting

1230–1430 - RBL and supporters “historical lunch” with presentation on British WW2 uniforms by Alain Brogniez and Olivier d'Olne.

Fraternelle des Agents Parachutistes (Rue du Châtelain 46, 1050 Ixelles).

23 February

Comité National Belge du Souvenir 50th anniversary cultural session. 10-11.30am, Prince Albert Club, 20 rue des Petits Carmes, Brussels.

1 March

First Friday of the Month social, from 6.30pm. Brasserie 1898 (Av. d'Auderghem 4, 1040 Brussels).

10 March

Lunch (12:30-14:00)

History talk (14:15-15:15): historian Vincenzo De Meulenaere is taking us back to 16th century Antwerp and the revolt against Philip II.

Fraternelle des Agents Parachutistes (Rue du Châtelain 46, 1050 Ixelles).

13 March

Escaping Nazi Europe: Understanding the experiences of Belgian soldiers and civilians in World War II – conference debate (in French and Dutch) with branch member Bernard Wilkin.

CegeSoma, Square de l’Aviation/Luchtvaartsquare 29, 1070 Brussels. 12.30-2pm. Registration required.

22 March

Battles and Books, co-chaired by branch member William Bache, lunch at the Club Prince Albert.

26 March

Rhos Male Voice Choir from North Wales are giving a free concert at St George’s Church in Ypres (6pm). 

5 April

First Friday of the Month social from 7pm at the Foyer, Warandepoort, Tervuren. 

13 April

The Military Wives Choir Belgium will perform in Ypres at Talbot House (3.30pm) and at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate (8pm). 

See: https://www.talbothouse.be/en/events/belgium-military-wives-choir-eng

20 April

Battlefield Tour: explore the preserved section of the fortifications of the Atlantic Wall, visit the Atlantic Wall Open Air Museum and lunch at the Restaurant/Cafétéria Walrave.

To reserve your spot on this fascinating tour, please register and make a payment of €15 per person by Tuesday, 16th April. Your contribution covers access to the museum and a small donation to the Royal British Legion. Train, tram, and lunch is not included in the price.

3 May

First Friday of the Month social from 7pm at the Foyer, Warandepoort, Tervuren.

5 May

Hotton and La Roche.  A full day commemoration in the Ardennes where the branch is wonderfully hosted by the town Mayors and we conduct a series of Acts of Remembrance to honour and remember the fallen from the Battle of the Bulge. Read our primer on the Ardennes.

12 May

Garden Party held by the Brussels British Community Association (BBCA). Stonemanor, Everberg on Sunday 12 May, 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM.

See: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1013034246995972&set=a.717574759875257

RBL Brussels branch will have a table there.

17 May

  • Tribute to the British soldiers who fell in 1940 in Isieres commune of Ath. At 6 p.m, Place d'Isières.
  • Operation Chastise Remembrance Service, Möhne Dam, Möhnestraße 8A, 59519 Möhnesee, Germany. 13.00.  

27 May

Discussion titled "Rehabilitation and Resilience: Supporting Veterans in Ukraine and Beyond". 18:30 to 20:30, at Station Europe/European Parliament, Pl. du Luxembourg, 1050, Brussels.


In case of questions, feel free to contact Philippe Lefevre or reach out to our media team.

This event is organised by Promote Ukraine NGO in collaboration with Veteran Coalition International.

30 May

Interconvictional ceremony in the presence of British and Belgian Invictus Games delegations. Pro-Cathedral of Holy Trinity, Rue Capitaine Crespel 29, 1050 Brussels. 3pm. 

7 June

First Friday of the Month from 6.30pm at Brasserie Le 1898 (next door to the UK Mission & Rond Point Schuman), at 4 av d'Auderghem.

8 June

International military tattoo at the Grand Place, Brussels, at 9pm. This event is sold out.

19 June

World War II in podcasts - Conference-debate (in French). Conducted by Éric Loze,with Romane Carmon, Perrine Sokal and Constance Hautier. CegeSoma, Square de l’Aviation/Luchtvaartsquare 29, 1070 Brussels, 12:30-2pm. 

22 June

Act of Remembrance at the Commonwealth War Graves section at Brussels Town Cemetery, Evere. Ceremony starts at 11.30am, meet at the entrance gates 11.15am. The commemoration is followed by lunch at a nearby restaurant. Please inform Hon Secretary Andrée Ferrant if you plan to join the lunch.

22-23 June

This year's edition of the Waterloo Ride takes place in Brussels and Waterloo. If you would like an invitation please contact branch member Rodolphe Lancksweert.

1 July

Battle of the Somme commemoration at Thiepval Memorial (10.30am), followed by service at the Ulster Tower. 

5 July

First Friday of the Month social from 6.30pm at the Foyer, Warandepoort, Tervuren

6-7 July

Commemorations of the Sherwood or Marathon Mission (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Marathon_(World_War_II)) in Busloup and Villebout, Site de Bellande, France. Contact comitebellande@gmail.com or mairie.villebout@wanadoo.fr.

8 August

Tribute to Brigade Piron on the 80th anniversary of the unit's arrival in Normandy. Place du Général-de-Gaulle, 14470 Courseulles-sur-Mer, France. 10am.

17 August

Ceremony in Marcq (Enghien) in memory of the first two British airmen attached to the Royal Flying Corps shot down over Belgian soil in the First World War, 2Lt Vincent Waterfall of the East Yorkshire Regiment and his observer Lt Charles Bayly of the Royal Engineers. The commemoration at rue Moulin du Chêne starts at 10.30. 

23 August

Commemorations marking the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Mons including homage at the Hôtel de Ville (13.00), with ceremonies at the St. Symphorien Military Cemetery (15.45) and British and Irish memorials (16.15). 

3 September

Parade with The Band of the Welsh Guards, marking the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Brussels. Procession leaves Place de la Liberté (9.30am), followed by a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior (10am). The parade then marches to the British Monument in Rue de la Régence (10.45am), Manneken Pis (11.15am) and Hôtel de Ville (11.30am). Activities will take place in the Grand Place from 11am-8pm including a concert by the Welsh Guards (1pm) and vintage military vehicle exhibition.

3-9 September

Lierde (East Flanders) and the HistoryWings association are organising a series of events from 3-9 September including an exhibition on the ordeal of escaped British POWs. Register at info@historywings.be

4 September

Brigade Piron commemoration at the national monument, Parc de Muses, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean. 10am.

4 September

RBL Gala Dinner marking the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Brussels. Club Prince Albert, Rue de Petits Carmes 20, 1000 Brussels, 7-11pm. 

7 September

Liberation commemoration in Tournai, with re-enactors following the routes taken by the British and 2nd US ('Hell on Wheels') Armored Division. Ceremonies at Monument des Anglais in Hertain (opposite 828 Chaussée de Lille, 7am), Resistance monument, Rue du Chantier (8am), Belfy (9.45am), US memorial, Gaurain (11.30am). The liberation convoy will arrive in Tournai Grand-Place at 9am. Parking is very limited in the centre. Contact: celine.remue@tournai.be

7 September

Liberation celebration in Aalst includes a special tour, parade of historic military vehicles and a concert (from 1pm).

7 September

Victims of the V-bomb attack on Antwerp will be commemorated at the monument on the corner of Leopold de Waelplaats, Schildersstraat and Karel Rogierstraat (9.45am). A ceremony in remembrance of police officers who died during WW2 will take place in Alfred Coolsstraat (11am). 

8 September

Annual Tank Ceremony at the Cromwell Tank on Jan Van Rijswijcklann, Antwerp (11am). 

8 September

Hofstade commemoration at the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force memorial (11am). The monument is 5 minutes' walk from the Sport Flanders car park. 

12 September

Grenadier Guards commemorate the 80th anniversary of Belgium's liberation with a Cenotaph Requiem at Concertgebouw Brugge with the Brussels Philharmonic, Flemish Radio Choir and Flanders Boys Choir. 

21 September

80th anniversary of the Liberation of Geel. A commemorative ceremony will be held at the War Cemetery, Tweeboomkes, 2440 Geel. 

26 September

The Resistance in Antwerp. Flemish conference-debate with Nico Wouters and Nel de Mûelenaere, moderated by Jan Naert, linked to the release of the book Stad in verzet. Antwerpen tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Venue: CegeSoma, Square de l’Aviation/Luchtvaartsquare 29, 1070 Brussels, 2-3.30pm.

28 September

Belgian independence commemoration to the Heroes of 1830 at the Place des Martyrs, Brussels (3pm).

4 October

First Friday of the Month social from 6.30pm at De Foyer, Markt 7b, 3080 Tervuren. 

12 October

The Belgian Air Force Association invites you to Remembrance Day 2024, 11:30am at Jubelpark/ Parc du Cinquantenaire More details in the invitation.

2023

 

April
 
Friday 7 April - First Friday of the Month @ Den Engel, Tervuren. 
Saturday 29 April - The Military Wives Choir will be singing at the Menin Gate 2000h Act of Remembrance
May
 
Thursday 4 May - The last remaining operational Lancaster aircraft in Europe will conduct a flight over the Rebecq Memorial. The memorial is run by The Belgians Remember Them - a very hard-working association led by Wilfred Burie.  The commemoration will take place in the morning. If anybody wishes to attend, please contact Andrée for more details. 
Friday 5 May - First Friday of the Month @ Den Engel, Tervuren. Which can also double as a pre-Coronation celebration... 
Saturday 6 May Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort.  
Sunday 7 May - Hotton and La Roche.  A full day commemoration in the Ardennes where the branch is wonderfully hosted by the local towns and we conduct a series of Acts of Remembrance to honour and remember the fallen from the Battle of the Bulge, paying special tribute to the 51st Highland Division. Read our primer on the Ardennes https://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/brussels-branch/what-s-on-in-brussels-and-belgium/the-british-and-the-battle-of-the-ardennes/.
Saturday 13 May - Walking tour of Brussels. 

During this 2½ hour tour, our German expert and RBL member Rainer Hiltermann will guide us to key sites such as the centre of the German administration (Governor General, Governor of Brussels, Kommandantur), the Parc Royal (home for German soldiers), Rue de Louvain (German railway administration), the Royal Palace (Belgian military hospital) and Palais des Académies (German military hospital). The tour continues across Place Royale to the Petit Sablon, Palais d'Egmont (as Palais d'Arenberg 1916-1918 German military hospital) and Palais de Justice. We then walk to the Grand'Place via Rue des Minimes (German School, now Jewish Museum), Rue de la Paille (German telephone exchange), Rue de la Montagne et Rue du Marché aux Herbes (German pubs).

Friday 19 May - Commemoration in Isières, Ath to conduct an Act of Remembrance for the nine soldiers resting in the village cemetery. The event sees the whole village turn out to march from the church to the exquisitely kept final resting place for these soldiers who lost their lives defending the withdrawal of forces to Dunkirk.  If you would like to attend, please contact Andrée Ferrant or Mireille Picron. 
 
19-21 May - RBL Annual Conference in Torquay.  We will not send anybody to Devon however people can watch the conference online. We will send the link out when we receive it. 
June
Friday 3 June - First Friday of the Month @ Copains, Tervuren
Saturday 17 June - Waterloo.  Don't miss our special guided tour on the 208th anniversary of the epochal battle that changed the face of Europe.  A very popular tour, this is led by our expert historian Dennis Abbott. 
Saturday 24 June - Act of Remembrance at Evere Cemetry, Brussels. Join us for our annual commemoration to those personnel who fought and died in the Brussels area.  A late morning commemoration followed by lunch. 
July
7 July - First Friday of the Month @ Guinguette Maurice, Parc du Cinquantenaire🌞
15 July - Walking Tour of Namur
AUGUST - no First Friday of the Month
September
 
1 September - First Friday of the Month @ Copains or another outdoor location 🌞
Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 September - a weekend tour focusing on the Battle of Arnhem. This will be our first weekend venture, so we wanted to get the dates out to you early. 
*Liberation of Brussels and Molenbeek commemorations dates tbc.
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September - Tenby Memorial weekend. As many of you are aware, there has been a significant project to commemorate the relationship between the City of Tenby, Wales and the formation of the Belgian Free Forces. If any of you are either available to join or support this venture, please do get in touch with our good friends Rodolphe Lancksweert or Baron Christian Houtart - this is an exceptional project bringing together the British and Belgian community in Remembrance. Find out more here
October
Friday 6 October - First Friday of the Month @ Den Engel 
Saturday 7 October - Bastogne.  Building on the excellent day in 2022, this popular day out will focus on different aspects of the conflict in the Bastogne area, with some interesting and exciting means of transport thrown in 
 
POPPY APPEAL!  Any volunteers to deliver boxes, take a collection pot to the office or generally help out in the preparation will be gratefully received. Please email David Bizley, the Poppy Appeal Organiser on the Brussels Chair email address. Every volunteer makes an enormous difference to what we can achieve. 
November
Friday 3 November - First Friday of the Month @ Location to be confirmed
Sunday 12 November Remembrance Sunday at CWGC Heverlee.  Volunteers to help set up and run this event would be most welcome. 
December
 
01 December - Annual General Meeting at Fraternelle des agents Parachutistes

Previous Meetings

The date of last (few!) Committee Meetings: 

  • 28 Jan 2022 - Hurrah, held in person at Den Engel, Tervuren
  • 28 Nov 2021 (held on Zoom)
  • 20 Dec 2021 (held on Zoom)
  • 20 Feb 2021 (held on Zoom)
  • 25 Mar 2021 (held on Zoom)
  • 24 May 2021 (held on Zoom)
  • 12 Sep 2020 (held on Zoom)
  • 8 Oct 2020 (held on Zoom)
  • 15 Oct 2020 (held on Zoom)
  • 29 Oct 2020 (held on Zoom)
  • Annual General meetings: 
  • 2023 - 1 Dec held at Fraternelle des agents parachutistes
  • 2022 - held on 28 Jan 2023 due to non-availability in Dec 2022. Held at Den Engel, Tervuren
  • 2021 - Friday 26 November (held on Zoom)
  • 2020 - Saturday 18 January 

For details, please contact the Honorary Secretary.