Inside the village hall.

Plaque

A rectangular stone plaque inscribed with a commemoration message that is written in French in gold and incised lettering. The plaque is a tribute of gratitude to Mrs. Edith Mac Cormick in memory of her son, Cpl John K. McCormick.

Official records of the 27th Division cite the bravery of John’s 107th Regiment taking of what was thought to be an impregnable series of German defenses near Bony. The 107th and 1st New York regiments carried the fight to the Germans on the 29th aided by a barrage from guns massed wheel to wheel, supported by forty tanks, “bit’ into the main Hindenburg Line. 27th Division battle records reveal attack and counterattack by both sides. Records documenting the fierce German response state “a battalion of the 107th and a battalion of the 105th, with machine gun battalions, met the counterattack. It was repulsed, and the Germans came on again. Casualties on both sides were terrible. Bayonets, bombs, teeth, and even fists were used. It was in many places, man-to-man fighting. The enemy fought fiercely, but he was confronted by madmen making history for the National Guard of New York, and he lost”.

Corporal John McCormick’s death as a result of German shellfire the morning of October 17, 1918, was tragic given the heroism of September 29th, 30th. His comrades went on to assault the Germans, fording the LaSelle river to do battle. The Germans had faced the same “wild men” here that they had faced at the Hindenburg Line. The day netted the New Yorkers more than 1,400 prisoners.

The Germans retreated, fighting heavy rearguard machine gun actions for four days. More prisoners, cannons, and machine guns fell to the Americans. They pursued the enemy to the line of the Canal de la Sambre.

Source of information: www.worldwar1centennial.org

Source of photo: www.memorialgenweb.org

Hommage de Gratitude

a Madame Edith Mac CORMICK

fondatrice d'un prix scolaire annuel

en mémoire de son fils

John.K.Mac CORMICK

caporal au 107e R.I.

tombé au champ d'honneur au

combat de Busigny le Octobre 1918.

English translation:

A Tribute of Gratitude

to Mrs Edith Mac CORMICK

founder of an annual scholastic prize

in memory of her son

John.K.Mac CORMICK

Corporal, 107th I. R.

fallen on the field of honor

battle of Busigny on October 1918.