Casteau in Hainaut, Wallonia, Belgium — Northwestern Europe

The First Shots

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 19, 2024

1. The First Shots Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This tablet is erected to commemorate the action of C squadron 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards on 22 August 1914 when Corporal E. Thomas fired the first shot for the British Expeditionary Force and Captain C.B. Hornby led the first mounted attack against the Germans

[français]
Ici, fut établi, le 22 août 1914, á 7 heures du masin le premier contact entre le Corps expeditionnaire britannique et la premiare armée allemande. Le caporal E. Thomas de pescadron C du 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards tira le premier coup de fed et le capitaine C.B. Hornby commanda la premiere charge qui refoula les éclaireurs ennemis jusqua la lisiere nord du village de Casteau.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical date for this entry is August 22, 1914.

Location. 50° 30.304′ N, 3° 59.874′ E. Marker is in Casteau, Région Wallonne (Wallonia), in Hainaut. It is at the intersection of Chaussée de Bruxelles (National Route 6) and Chemin Vert, on the right when traveling south on Chaussée de Bruxelles. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Casteau, Région Wallonne 7061, Belgium. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 6 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Great War / La Grande Guerre (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Great War / La Grande Guerre (approx. 4.5 kilometers away); To Our Heroes (approx. 4.5 kilometers away); Palace of Justice/ Palais de Justice (approx. 6.3 kilometers away); In Gratitude (approx. 6.4 kilometers away); Salon Baronne Betty Duesberg (approx. 6.4 kilometers away); Mons Recaptured (approx. 6.5 kilometers away); 5th Royal Irish Lancers (approx. 6.5 kilometers away).

Also see . . . First Shots of WW1. (Submitted on November 24, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 19, 2024

2. The First Shots Marker

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, November 19, 2024

3. The First Shots Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 131 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 23, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 2, 3. submitted on November 24, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.