War Memorial

You’re now standing in front of the war memorial in La Savane park. This statue was erected in 1926 to honour the Martinican soldiers who died in combat during the First World War. Designed by architect Pierre-Henri Picq and sculpted by Louis-Ernest Barrias, the monument features an allegorical figure of the French Republic, holding a flame aloft. This symbol, often found on war memorials, represents eternal remembrance and lasting respect for those who gave their lives for their country. In 2023, several war memorials across Martinique were vandalised, including this one, which was doused in red paint. The role of colonial troops in the war has long been debated and remains a sensitive topic for many reasons. For one, many Martinicans were forcibly conscripted into the French army under recruitment policies widely seen as unjust at the time. Once deployed, colonial soldiers often faced racial discrimination and were assigned to grueling tasks they were ill-prepared for. At last, when the war ended, they returned to a country that offered little in the way of gratitude or support. Unlike their counterparts in mainland France, many received no veteran pensions, and their sacrifices went largely unrecognised. This is why this monument matters and the tribute it represents is so important.