A new audio-guided walking trail has been opened by Nord Tourisme in France, which plots a six kilometre (3.7 miles) route in memory of the poet Wilfred Owen’s life.
Wilfred Owen was a British soldier of the Manchester Regiment who died on the 4th November 1918 during an attack on a German position on the opposite bank of the Sambre-Oise canal.
Amongst his most famous poems is Dulce et Decorum Est, which was published posthumously in 1920.
The 1 hour and 45 minute walk was officially opened on the 2nd June 2013 – the 120 year anniversary of Wilfred Owen’s birth – in the French village of Ors.
Peter Owen, Wilfred’s nephew, was in attendance.
The Mayor of Ors, Jack Duminy, who established the Wilfred Owen Association in France, is credited for his effort in “paying to the poet, who was little known in France, the homage to which he is entitled”.
The trail begins at the Maison Forestière, the Forester’s House which is dedicated to the poet and was opened on the 1st of October 2011, it leads via his last path through the Bois L’Evêque to the canal where he died with soldiers of his regiment.
English and French language guides, as well as audio guides, are available.
To find out more about the project, visit the Nord Tourisme website here.
Date of press release publication: 28/05/2013
Images courtesy of Nord Tourism
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News