A towngate in times of war

One of Bruges four remaining towngates is the
Smedenpoort. It was constructed during the 14th century
and is very similar to the Ezelpoort. 
A remarkable feature is the bronze skull, nailed to
the wall. It replaces the original one which belonged
to a certain mister van der Straeten who, in 1691, had  
the infamous idea to open the gate to let the French
troops into Bruges.
His plan failed and his head became a reminder.


During the end of  WWII the Germans occupied the gates
and ramparts of the city while the allied troops got hold
of the railroad bridge, a few hundred meters away.
They fiercely exchanged fire with all arms at hand and
everyone living in the street between the Smedenpoort
and the bridge fled to the basements of their houses
to find some shelter.
A Canadian soldier, Harvey Stewart Revill, ventured
a bit too far when he approached the gate and got
shot in the belly. Luckily, those living in the most nearby
house had seen everything and dragged Harvey into

The skull

safety. A young doctor who stayed there could give first
aid but said that the Canadian had to undergo surgery 
urgently.
The next day the situation became worst and there was
no other thing to do than to ask the Germans for help.
Some German soldiers arrived and saw how critical
Harvey's condition was. They were good men and called
immediately for a stretcher to bring him to hospital.
To enable a safe departure for the doctor and his patient, 
one of the Germans had to stamp his boots and to shoot 
his gun to attrack enemy fire towards himself.
Harvey was brought to the St- Jozefkliniek where he was
operated on by professor Sebrechts, a famous Belgian
surgeon in those days. The operation was succesful but
Serg. Maj. Revill died a few weeks later. By then Bruges
was liberated and his comrades were still able to visit him.
An Irish nun assisted him during his last days.
Professor Sebrechts garden is now a public park. 
The former St-Jozefkliniek houses students of the
Spermalie hotel and restaurant academy. A vivid place
full of young people with a bright future ahead in a
free, democratic country.


www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/collections/virtualmem/photoview/2083503/89530

wwii.ca/memorial/world-war-ii/143104/warrant-officer-class-ii-harvey-stewart-revill/