A commemoration service was held at the Mousquet book-shape stele memorial, at the front enclave of the Catholic Church of the Assumption, Georgetown, Penang on 14 January 2025. The Mousquet memorial honours the French sailors who lost their lives in WW1 in what was then Malaya. On the morning of 28 October 1914, the naval Battle of Penang took place off the coast of Penang. The French destroyer Le Mousquet was sunk by the German cruiser Emden off Muka Head with the loss of 43 sailors including 3 ethnic Vietnamese. The sailors’ ages ranged from 19 to 43 years old.
Following the sinking of the Mousquet, a requiem mass was held for the young Catholics by Fr. Louis Duvelle on 18 November 1914 at this very Church of the Assumption. To commemorate this solemn historical event, Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, on 9 April 2015 consecrated this memorial in honour of Fr. Louis Duvelle and the lost lives.
Cardinal Sebastian, Rev. Fr. Edmund Woon, Rev. Fr. Desmond Jansen attended together with the Ambassador of France, Germany and the military attaches and consuls of United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Czech Republic, Malaysian Navy officers, PDRM representative, members of Alliance Franchise, Penang Civil Society and around 40 sailors of the French Carrier Strike Group making a port of call to Penang.
The French Ambassador to Malaysia, Axel Cruau expressed honour for the young sailors who sacrificed their lives for country and freedom. He emphasized the importance of learning from historical conflicts drawing parallels to current geopolitical tensions. He highlighted the need for respect of international law, challenges of climate change and fostering international cooperation, all of which are essential for peace, development and prosperity.
Additionally, during the Battle of Penang, the Russian cruiser Zhemchug was also sunk, resulting in the loss of 89 lives. The Russian memorial monument is located at Western Road Cemetery, Penang. Two sailors' bodies washed ashore at Pulau Jerejak and they are buried there with a smaller monument on the island.
In this Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, the Church of the Assumption, Georgetown, Penang has also been designated a Pilgrim Church in the Diocese of Penang.
By Christopher Kushi
