The 91st
Trip Start
Aug 23, 1996
1
424
451
Trip End
Ongoing
Villers-Bretonneux,
Picardy,
France
Saturday, April 25, 2009
As the campaign waged on through the years, the main attention turned to the Western Front, mainly the Somme and Flanders.
On the 24th of April 1918, the very first tank battle in the world took place between the British and German armies in Villers-Bretonneux. The very next day, ANZAC Day, the Australian Army liberated Villers-Bretonneux, thus forging a link between the French and the Australians. In fact, the Mayor of Villers-Bretonneux wrote in 1919
"The first inhabitants of Villers-Bretonneux to re-establish themselves in the ruins of what was once a flourishing little town have, by means of donations, shown a desire to thank the valorous Australian Armies, who with the spontaneous enthusiasm and characteristic dash of their race, in a few hours drove out an enemy ten times their number...They offer a memorial tablet, a gift which is but the least expression of their gratitude, compared with the brilliant feat which was accomplished by the sons of Australia...Soldiers of Australia, whose brothers lie here in French soil, be assured that your memory will always be kept alive, and that the burial places of your dead will always be respected and cared for..."
As we had been remembering ANZAC Day in London for far to long, there was only one thing we could do and that was book the train and go over to France to remember the deeds of the past.
Up at 03:00 and at the site by 03:45, we found some seats up near the front. As we waited for Dawn to come upon us, the site started to fill With Australians and French. As we waited, a cold wind blew through the memorial. It kind of made you think about what these guys went through 91 years ago, well maybe not as we could never imagine their horrors.
At 05:00, Dawn service began. A procession of Australians spoke about the battle and the links with France. The Mayor of Villers-Bretonneux stated the same. A couple of stories came out, but one stood out in particular. The notorious Ned Kelly was arrested by Hugh Bracken, but during WW1, his son James, fought alongside Ned's nephew Frederick Foster. They were both killed here, and their names lie on the wall close to each other. These are the kind of stories I love about that time. The cameraderie that existed, even when past family members had been enemies, but were now partners for a common cause.
As the ceremony finished, we made our way over to the tents. Now normally, the Salvation Army supply tea and ANZAC biscuits, but as this is France, we were given baby croissants and coffee !!!
And Finally
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Lest we forget
