Georges Nélis (Halle, 22 May 1886 – Ixelles, 2 March 1929) was a Belgian aviation pioneer and the first Belgian soldier to obtain an official military pilot’s license. He was co-founder and director of Sabena, SNETA, and SABCA, and is therefore considered the “father of Belgian aviation.”
In 1928, Nélis became seriously ill. He died on 2 March 1929 in Ixelles. A year later, he was given a mausoleum in the cemetery of Evere.
On 2 February 2011, the bronze statue from his mausoleum was stolen. In August of the same year, it was found severely damaged. The statue was transferred to the Major Housiau Quarter in Peutie, where Ghent artist Frank Liefooghe expertly examined it. He concluded that, despite the damage, it could still be restored.
In September 2011, General (ret.) Mandl contacted Wings of Memory to discuss restoration options. After a thorough assessment, Wings of Memory member Stefan Delannoit and artist Michel Clocquet—who had previously collaborated on the monument for Belgian war pilot Mony Van Lierde—decided to undertake the restoration.
On May 2, 2012, the restored statue was re-placed on the grave of Georges Nélis by members of Wings of Memory, along with Michel Clocquet and General (ret.) Mandl. On May 23, 2012, a short ceremony was held at the Evere cemetery to re-dedicate the monument. In addition to representatives of Wings of Memory and the Vieilles Tiges, acting Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Van Caelenberge, and Nélis’s family were also present.
Speeches were given during the ceremony by General (ret.) Mandl and Chris Van Heghe† (Wings of Memory). All present expressed their appreciation for the excellent restoration work of Stefan Delannoit and Michel Clocquet.
Every year, prior to Remembrance Day in Brussels, a short commemoration takes place at the grave of Georges Nélis.
