For the first time in WW1, on August 23, 1914, at Mons, Belgium, the British Expeditionary Forces fought a major battle agains the Germans.

The day ended with a British retreat and 1600 casualties.  Due to poor communication between the British and the French who were fighting on the British left, the French started to withdraw.  When this happened, fearing that the Germans might encircle the BEF, Sir John French, the British commander ordered a retreat.

In a sign of just how pathetic this war was fought, the first British casualty of the war, John Henry Parr, died in the opening rounds of this fight.   He is buried in St. Symphorien cemetery just outside Mons.   4 years later and with 1 Million British dead, the battle lines in 1918 were in exactly the same place.   And just before the 11th hour of the 11 day of the 11th month of 1918, the last Commonwealth casualty of the war also lost his life fighting nearly at the same exact spot.

George Lawrence Price, from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan was killed just 2 minutes before the Armistice went into effect.   He too is buried in St. Symphorien Cemetery.

Rest in Peace.