Brigade Piron

In honour of the men from Belgium and Luxembourg, who participated in the liberation of France, Belgium and Holland.

We are pleased to have been involved with the establishment of the Brigade Piron Memorial in the Grove this year (2026).

To date (Jan 26) we have installed a panel depicting the memorial which will be made from Lava stone with the images and other detail set in a permanent glaze.. The text and images will become a permanent glaze and the stone will be fitted into a stainless steel stand.

The chosen area for this prestigious memorial honouring the soldiers of Brigade Piron will be in our Airborne Forces Garden as they served at Pegasus Bridge and also helped defend the Arnhem landings. Hence the panel will be set in front of our Arnhem Red Oak tree close to Peggy.

The Brigade Piron Memorial panel mock-up close to Peggy. Eventually the Lava Stone panel will be fitted into a stainless steel frame. Fitted on 13th January 2026.

The Brigade Piron Memorial in detail with initial Slideshow below…..

The Brigade Piron Memorial in more detail……

The Brigade Piron Memorial Text.

  • The Independent Belgian Brigade was a Belgian and Luxembourgish military unit in the Free Belgian forces during WWII, Commonly known as Brigade Piron after its commanding officer Jean-Baptiste PIRON.
  • More than a hundred Luxembourgers volunteered. Most of them formed the “Luxembourg Battery”, an artillery unit (Troop C) consisting of four 25-pounder field guns named after Luxembourg princesses; Alix, Elizabeth, Marie-Adelaide and Marie-Gabrielle.
  • The Belgian Brigade participated in Operation PADDLE. Its first units arrived in Normandy on 31st July 1944 and the main body set foot on Normandy soil at Arromanches and Courseulles on the 8th August. It was placed under the command of Lieutenant Colonel J-B Piron.
  • It took part in the battles of Normandy, liberating Cabourg, Houlgate, Villers s/m, Deauville, Trouville and Honfleur. From 31st August to 1st September, it crossed the Seine and advanced towards Brussels, which was liberated on the 4th September 1944.
  • During Operation Market Garden, the Brigade was assigned to guard the right flank of the British 30th. Corps.
  • Pushing northwards the Brigade reached the Wessum canal and endured heavy fighting. They continued their fight to liberate the Netherlands from September 1944 until April 1945.
  • In 1945 the Brigade took part in the occupation of the Ruhr (British Sector).
  • In June 1945, the Luxembourgers were demobilised and ended their service with a parade in front of thousands of compatriots in Luxembourg City.
  • The Brigade lost 80 members during the combat campaigns.
  • WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
  • In the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove, National Memorial Arboretum.

Page Updated 13th January 2026