}
Belgian refugees
‘It is hoped that every effort will be made to show the Refugees in our midst our appreciation of their bravery’
Bristol Times and Mirror, November 1914
In August 1914, Germany invaded Belgium. Britain had signed a treaty in 1831 which protected Belgium as neutral, so the government delivered an ultimatum to Germany to leave Belgium. This went unanswered and Britain declared war on Germany.
Many civilians fled Belgium, to escape occupation by the German army. The army burned buildings and shot about 5,000 Belgian civilians. Wildly exaggerated reports of German war crimes in Belgium were published in the British press, bolstering popular support for the war. The first Belgian refugees arrived in Bristol in September 1914. They were given homes with local families or in unoccupied houses, and the children joined Bristol schools. Bristolians gave money to support the refugees and to send food to civilians remaining in Belgium.
At the end of the war 700 refugees returned to Belgium, including 100 children born in Bristol. Bristol volunteers went to help rebuild homes which had been damaged in the fighting.
In August 1914, Germany invaded Belgium. Britain had signed a treaty in 1831 which protected Belgium as neutral, so the government delivered an ultimatum to Germany to leave Belgium. This went unanswered and Britain declared war on Germany.
Many civilians fled Belgium, to escape occupation by the German army. The army burned buildings and shot about 5,000 Belgian civilians. Wildly exaggerated reports of German war crimes in Belgium were published in the British press, bolstering popular support for the war. The first Belgian refugees arrived in Bristol in September 1914. They were given homes with local families or in unoccupied houses, and the children joined Bristol schools. Bristolians gave money to support the refugees and to send food to civilians remaining in Belgium.
At the end of the war 700 refugees returned to Belgium, including 100 children born in Bristol. Bristol volunteers went to help rebuild homes which had been damaged in the fighting.