JAUCHE, Beglium — On an unassuming bend, on a small rural road in the quiet village of Jauche, deep in the Belgian countryside, stands a small monument that could easily go unnoticed. However, to the local community, the memory of one Virginia soldier, Ralph Nimmo, remains vivid even decades later.
About Ralph Nimmo
Nimmo grew up in Roanoke, worked as a baker at Rainbo Bakery and joined the U.S. Army in 1943. In 1944, he was among the first American soldiers to enter Jauche. He was wounded by gunfire, then stabbed to death.
We have more on his story here.
Nimmo, a Roanoke native, was killed in September 1944 at the exact spot where the monument stands today. He was part of the Allied liberation of Belgium and one of more than 11,000 Virginia soldiers who lost their lives during World War II.
As part of the 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Nimmo took part in an expedition to identify the position of German troops near the village. Encountering enemy fire, he was injured, and then brutally killed by bayonet. Nimmo became the last U.S. soldier to die in this part of Belgium during the war.
On the 80th anniversary of his death, Cardinal News traveled to the French-speaking village of Jauche in Belgium’s Walloon Brabant region, where the memory of this young American soldier remains deeply rooted in the local population.
Gone but not forgotten
The small monument, built into a wall and featuring a plaque with a photo of Nimmo in his dress uniform, is easily missed by outsiders but remains well-tended by locals. As Col. Frédéric co*ckx, a Belgian army officer who now lives near the site, explains, the monument serves as a place of reflection.
“People stop by, they reflect,” co*ckx said. “The village was spared from direct attacks in 1944, but the presence of the Americans and their sacrifice is still very much alive in people’s minds.”
co*ckx, an Afghanistan War veteran, purchased the house behind the monument and took on the responsibility of its upkeep. He tends to the site, clearing weeds, planting flowers and raising both the American and Belgian flags on special occasions.
Personal memories of war
For the residents of Jauche, the liberation was both a time of joy and sorrow. Some remember being children at the time of the German occupation, with families often sheltering young people sent away from Brussels due to food shortages. One local recounted how his mother, now 95, was held at gunpoint by German soldiers demanding food and alcohol.
After the liberation, local families hosted American and British soldiers, forming strong bonds that last to this day. Lucette Sente, one of the organizers of the remembrance event, recalled how her family’s home became a refuge for American soldiers waiting for supplies.
“Our house was a plant nursery, so there was lots of space. They were protected. It was hidden from planes, and so lots of soldiers stayed with us,” Sente explained.
A community comes together
By midday, the streets filled with residents carrying flowers and American flags. The ceremony, featuring a brass band, local politicians and military personnel, served as a heartfelt tribute to Ralph Nimmo and his role in liberating their village.
A wreath-laying ceremony followed, with officials paying their respects at the foot of the stele. As the band played the American national anthem, a group of volunteers performed flag salutes, honoring Nimmo as their liberator.
Lawrence Lane, a representative of the U.S. Embassy in Belgium, reflected on the ties between the local community and the American forces that helped free them.
“It really warms my heart to see how they remember this,” Lane remarked. “The memory lives on, both in the older generation and with the young people, ensuring it will continue for years to come.”
Carrying the memory forward
Sente, who played a key role in organizing the event, emphasized the importance of preserving Nimmo’s memory. “He died far from home, thousands of kilometers away,” she said. “For his family, it’s impossible to come here to grieve. So, we decided to become his family in Belgium.”
In previous commemorations, Sente arranged for Nimmo’s sister to visit the village. Although she died in 2022, Sente and others remain in contact with Nimmo’s nieces, ensuring the family bond remains strong.
Honoring resistance fighters
While the event focused on Nimmo, it also paid tribute to the Belgian resistance, who worked closely with American forces to disrupt German operations. Some 20 minutes away, locals and dignitaries gathered at a farmhouse once used by the VILNA Group, a network of resistance fighters who helped liberate the region.
The ceremony honored both the resistance fighters and the soldiers of Nimmo’s unit. Just one day before Nimmo’s death, the 113th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron had played a crucial role in freeing the farmhouse from German occupation.
The last surviving member of the VILNA Group, Roger Mottoulle, attended the event. At 96 years old, he represented the enduring connection between the Belgian people and those who fought for their freedom.
In the nearby village of Ramillies, a museum exhibition dedicated to the Allied liberation featured a prominent display honoring Ralph Nimmo. The curators made it clear that his story remains a significant part of their regional history.
“He was the incarnation of their liberators,” co*ckx concluded. “The Americans came to free the village, and one of them died. He became someone close to all the villagers. Even 80 years later, that remains unchanged.”
Cardinal News wishes to thank Fraternelle de la Groupe VILNA and the Musée du Souvenir 40-45, who assisted our freelancer in Belgium.
