Maes, Frank |
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Belgian agent? |
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Image of soldier |
Research Notes |
Source Prunella Bradshaw: The Maes family arrived in Crich 2/11/1914 as Belgian refugees. Two of the children Madeleine and Jules/Saul were enrolled at Crich School 16/11/14. Madeleine returned to Belgium in 1919. Jules (also known as Saul) left school to work in 1916. The family were Roman Catholics. It is likely that Frank Maes was part of this family. He has no rank listed on the Roll of Honour, so it is unknown as to what role he played in the war. On the Medal Roll Index there is Francois E Maes Belgian Agent. Over 100,000 Belgian refugees arrived in the UK between August and October 1914. A report by Derbyshire County Council in January 1915 stated that there were 750 Belgian refugees situated in 61 parishes across the county. Some councellors thought this an underestimate as there were 150 alone in Chesterfield. The Derbyshire Belgium Refugee Committee disbanded on 23rd May 1919. The total numbr of refugees that had been provided with hospitality in the county was 2,229 and involved 84 local village and town committees. Belgian Agents were Belgian civilians in British service, but not with a regiment. They were working for the War Office or the British GHQ. Actually they were spies: Belgian Intelligence agents. Together with the French and the Belgian GHQ there were about 7 000 of them. One agent on four was arrested by the Germans (about 27%). This is about 1 900 agents of who 280 were shot by the Germans. This is 15% which is fairly high. |