Angel of Mons
The legend
One of the earliest and best known legends associated with trench life in the First World War is that known as the "Angel of Mons". The "Angel" was reputed to have appeared in the sky during the British retreat from Mons during August 1914, and to have safeguarded the withdrawal. This legend grew from a short story by Arthur Machen, published in the Evening Post of 29 September 1914.
Monument to the fallen in the graveyard for French, Belgian and German dead from the Battle of Mons.
Australian red ensign presented to Imperial Reservists by W M 'Billy' Hughes in 1914 and carried by Corporal Edward Dawson Watson of the East Lancashire Regiment during the retreat from Mons.
Sources
- Arthur Machen, The Angel of Mons: the Bowmen and other legends of the war, Simpkin Marshall Hamilton, Kent, London, 1915
- Paul Fussell, The Great War and modern memory, Oxford University Press, London, 1975
Further Information
- The Angel of Mons [0.78Mb PDF file]
- From the Memorial's File of Research No.533 (Official Record AWM338, Item 4). It contains a detailed discussion of the legend.
- "The Bowmen" by Arthur Machen
External site containing the text of Arthur Machen's "The Bowmen" and his explanation of how he came to write the story.