Author Archives: FFFAIF

Dignity for Diggers

The John Laffin Memorial Lecture, held annually on or near the anniversary of the Battle of Hamel – 4 July 1918, is being held today at Ashfield RSL, Sydney. This year the lecture will focus on the 90th anniversary of … Continue reading

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An Anzac I Never Knew

The 14th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division formed the centre of the attack, in the Battle of Fromelles on 19 July. The Australian units were (from left flank to right): 8th Brigade: 32nd (WA) and 31st (Qld, Vic) assaulting … Continue reading

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Seeking Harry Bell

The Battle of Fromelles was fought on the evening of the 19th July 1916 when the German front line was attacked after a seven hour artillery bombardment. The bombardment had been ineffective against the strong defences of the German line … Continue reading

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Equal in Death

The disposition of the 5th Australian Division and 61st Division units involved in the attack at Fromelles of 19 July 1916 had the 5th Australian Division’s 8th Brigade on the left flank, the 14th Brigade (NSW) in the centre and … Continue reading

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Hit in No-Man's Land

The 8th Brigade of the 5th Australian Division formed the left of the attack, in the Battle of Fromelles on 19 July. The Australian units were (from north to south): 8th Brigade Assaulting battalions 32nd (WA) and 31st (Qld, Vic) … Continue reading

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Uncle Harry's Charm

The 5th Australian Division units involved in the Battle of Fromelles on 19 July were (from north to south): 8th Brigade: Assaulting battalions 32nd (WA) and 31st (Qld, Vic) with Reserve battalions 29th (Vic) and 30th (NSW) 14th Brigade (NSW): … Continue reading

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I regret to inform you

As the Battle tactics of the Battle of Fromelles reveals, there the planning for the July 1916 was characterised by changes and included a 7 hour artillery bombardment prior to the infantry assault. The outcome of the battle was a … Continue reading

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Dignified Burial Call

The battle for the missing diggers from Fromelles is far from over.  As the Background to the Battle of Fromelles reveals, there had been an unsuccessful battle at Fromelles in May 1915 with heavy casualties and the planning for the July … Continue reading

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Commemoration

The Fifth Division of the AIF was formed in February 1916 and consisted of the 8th Brigade – 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd Battalions; 14th Brigade – 53rd, 54th, 55th, 56th Battalions and 15th Brigade – 57th, 58th, 59th, 60th Battalions. … Continue reading

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Three Lads Go To War

Allan Eldridge, Ernest Hopkinson and Justin Breguet were all 18 years old when, with parental permission, they enlisted in the AIF in July 1915. They embarked together aboard HMAT Ballarat from Melbourne on 18 February 1916 as members of the … Continue reading

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