THE Battle of Le Cateau is remembered as the brutal second battle of the First World War for the British, and Colchester soldiers were in the thick of it from day one.
The fighting began at the outbreak of the Great War on August 26, 1914.
Gunners and infantry from units based at the Colchester Garrison were among the British Expeditionary Force fighting a desperate defensive action around the French town of Le Cateau, trying to slow the German advance during the retreat through northern France.
Despite being vastly outnumbered, General Horace Smith-Dorrien of the British II Corps took the bold decision to stand and fight – a decision which cost II Corps dearly but disrupted the German pursuit.
British troops dug in along a line near Caudry, Audencourt and other villages, using intense rifle fire and rapid‑firing artillery to hold off German attacks for most of the day.
It became an artilleryman’s battle, with modern shrapnel shells tearing into infantry in the open.
By nightfall around 7,800 Allied soldiers were killed, wounded or captured, and dozens of guns were lost as the line finally pulled back.
General Smith-Dorrien delivered a ‘stopping blow’ to the Germans so that the British Expeditionary Force was able to continue its retreat.
XIV Brigade Royal Field Artillery, which was based at Colchester Barracks, consisted of three batteries, more than 800 men and 600 horses.
The old Artillery Barracks at Colchester were later renamed Le Cateau Barracks in honour of the battle, reflecting the leading role Royal Artillery units had played in the ferocious stand.
A monument to commemorate the role of Colchester’s soldiers in the historic battle was unveiled in August 2024, on the 110th anniversary of the fighting.
Read more:
- Colchester Barracks monument unveiled on battle anniversary
- Plaques unveiled to commemorate historic Colchester barracks
- Colchester Le Cateau Barracks buildings fight continues
It tells the story of the soldiers and horses, from leaving the barracks to their return, across all four sides, with braille writing and a QR code to learn more.
The top is a bronze scale model showing how the barracks would have looked preceding the Great War, on a brick plinth which mimics the chimneys of the Officers’ Quarters.
The delivery of the project was achieved with public funding and support from various associations, businesses and friends, and the small team of Paul Knappett, Colin Knowles and Linda Green.
At the unveiling, Mr Knappett said: “I feel a mixture of lots of things, but I certainly feel extremely proud, and I feel extremely grateful.
“It preserves the history of a very iconic, historic barracks in Colchester.”
For more about the monument, visit the dedicated website.
Share