Ann

Oops sorry Kwintestraat ran from Veurne to Koksijde Ann

Before and during WW1 my ancestors owned de Grote Kwinte and de Kleine Kwinte farms opposite Ten Bogaerde in the area they referred to as Koksijde which was in fact between Veurne and Koksijde ie. close to both towns. I am aware that during WW1 there was a Main Medical Station (barracks) positioned on De Grote Kwinte where the injured or sick of the war received urgent medical attention. From my attachment there was a Causality Clearing Station at Ten Bogaerde. The road between de Grote Kwinte farm and de Kleine Kwinte farm was called Kwintestraat and it ran from Veurne (Flemish spelling) to Furnes (French spelling). This road no longer exists. I am writing my family history and this is all I know about our Kwinte farms in WW1. In WW2 both these working farms with substantial buildings were destroyed by the Germans to make way for the airfield. My father was made to work there in his university holidays. I understand that the Germans bombed both properties to make way for the runways but I have also heard that the Belgians bombed it on retreating. This land was expropriated by the Belgian government after the war. If you stand on the roadside at Ten Bogaerde you will see the watch tower which is exactly where de Grote Kwinte farmhouse was. This Koksijde airfield is still used today as a Search and Rescue base and for training. This is all I know but I would love to hear of any additions or corrections to add to our family history. PS. Coxyde is the French spelling of Koksijde Many thanks Ann Cornille annmogrady01@gmail.com