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Centenary of Gouzeaucourt Twinning with Worcester

26th March 2021

Gouzeaucourt, a village in north-eastern France, found itself occupied early in WWI. It saw heavy fighting in the later stages of the war, eventually being deliberately destroyed by retreating German troops during 1917.

As the German army advanced into France in 1914, Gouzeaucourt was overrun. Behind enemy lines, most of the war was spent under occupation. A strict ‘occupation regime’ was imposed until the remaining population were forcibly moved out of Gouzeaucourt in 1917 to prepare for the German tactical withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in 1917. Allied troops advancing in the spring of 1917 found a deserted and destroyed land.

After the War a charitable scheme run by The British League Of Help promoted the adoption of places in France and Flanders by British towns, and Worcester chose to aid Gouzeaucourt. Many Worcestershire men were buried in this area following the fighting at the end of the Battle of Cambrai in 1917.

On Tuesday 30 March 2021 Worcester City Council is being asked to support the formal Twinning under the modern arrangements, between Worcester and Gouzeaucourt to mark this centenary.

More can be found about the Heritage Lottery Fund Project here:

 https://www.worcesterandgouzeaucourt.org/home/index.php/wwi-and-gouzeaucourt/49-wwi-and-gouzeaucourt

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