Fromelles Day Commemorative Procession,
Commencement of the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay through Sydney and Commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles,
Hyde Park, Sydney, Wednesday 19 July 2023
2023 is the centenary of Legacy and to mark the occasion, Legacy Australia has been conducting the Centenary Torch Relay that commenced in Pozieres on Anzac Day and travelled to Villers Bretonneux, the Menin Gate at Ieper and thence to London before arriving in Albany (the last Australian port for troops departing to WW1). From there it passed through Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and then Queensland and was on its way down the East Coast to reach Sydney on Wednesday 19 July 2023, which was also the 107th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles. The Legacy Torch then continued its journey through ACT, Victoria and Tasmania so that it will have visited all 45 Legacy Clubs on its way to the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, scheduled to arrive on Friday 13 October.
Legacy Australia and the Families and Friends of the First AIF in conjunction with the Trustees of The Anzac Memorial Building and the NSW Office for Veterans conducted a joint Fromelles Day Commemorative Procession, Commencement of the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay through Sydney, and Commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles in Hyde Park, Sydney on Wednesday 19 July 2023.
It was the first Fromelles Day Commemoration following the era of the COVID19 pandemic with a limited Commemorative Procession and Commemoration involving dignitaries, consular representatives and representatives of ex-service and descendant organisations. While COVID19 and influenza were still significant in the Sydney area, each person attending was responsible for their own well-being as well as that of other attendees.
This web-posting is in 3 parts:
- Commemorative Procession from the Archibald Fountain to the Anzac Memorial
- Commencement of the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay through Sydney including the hand-over of a family Military Cross and the Last Post Ceremony; and
- the Commemoration Service for the Battle of Fromelles and Wreath-laying.
Commemorative Procession from the Archibald Fountain to the Anzac Memorial
The Battle of Fromelles in northern France on 19-20 July 1916 was the first battle involving Australian troops on the Western Front following the withdrawal from Gallipoli. It was a disaster with more than 2,100 soldiers killed or died of wounds in their first 2 weeks of arrival, including 1,957 killed during or died of wounds after the 16-hour battle, along with, 3,416 wounded and 496 taken prisoner totalling more than 5,500 casualties. It was and remains the largest loss of Australian life in a 24-hour period. These casualties included the 250 men buried by the Germans after the battle whose graves were located in 2008 and were exhumed and in 2010 were reinterred in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery. To date, world class archaeological and anthropological analysis combined with cutting edge DNA analysis has led to 173 of these 250 soldiers now being identified by name and having their own named headstones. This has brought closure to many families who have waited for a century to know where their soldier was buried. With 7 identifications announced in the past 12 months, the efforts to identify the 77 soldiers currently not yet identified continues. See Fromelles Day 2023 Background and Update on identification of the Diggers from Pheasant Wood
The Commemorative Procession assembled at the Archibald Fountain’ that commemorates the association of Australia and France in The Great War
All images are by St Mary’s Cathedral College students and staff unless otherwise acknowledged
[Click on web-site images to enlarge and see more detail, right click to download and save]
The Commemoration was preceded by a Commemorative Procession of about 30 dignitaries and representatives of the ADF and ex-service and descendants organisations accompanied by the Royal Australian Navy Band, Sydney on a mild, sunny winter morning. The Commemorative Procession re-enacted the final Parade of the veterans of the 5th Division on the 50th anniversary of the Battle marching to the ANZAC Memorial to request that the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial always remember their service and the sacrifice of their comrades on 19 July. The Procession from the Archibald Fountain to the Anzac Memorial also represents the widest part of “No-man’s land” on the Fromelles battlefield. Click here to see A record of the Parade and Ceremony held in Hyde Park on 19 July 1966.
Procession Marshall Lt. Col. Paul Simadas RFD inviting participants to assemble for the Procession
(Left to right) [Click on web-site images to enlarge and see more detail, right click to download and save]
The Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Margaret Beazley with (on her right) ADC Lieutenant Commander Robert Valler, RAN; MAJGEN David Thomae, Commander Second Australian Division; Mr Dennis Wilson; Jim Munro, President FFFAIF; COL Catherine Carrigan, Director ADF Support to Legacy Centenary, Joint Support Services Division; BRIG Malcolm Wells, Chief of Staff Forces Command; Legatee Tim Becker, Acting President, Sydney Legacy; Mr. Martin Juillard, Consul-General Republic of France; Mr. Bill Phippen OAM; Ms Fleur Cane, Marketing & Communications, St Mary’s Cathedral College (largely obscured); General The Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove; Greg Finlayson (partly obscurred, wearing white hat); Mr. John MacLennan, Chair NSW Division, Australian Red Cross; Legatee Eric Easterbrook, Legacy Australia Chairman; Mrs. Roslyn Quarmby; Jim Smith, Secretary, Fromelles Association of Australia; Dr. Stuart Quarmby, Fromelles Family Reflection (obscured); Rear Admiral Chris Smith, RAN, Commander Australian Fleet; Ms Victoria Benz, Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Commissioner NSW/ACT; Lt. Col. Paul Simadas RFD; Mr Michael Burden, FFFAIF Education Committee; Mr Stephen Garry, St Mary’s Cathedral College History Teacher; Mr. Ray James, President NSW RSL Branch; LIEUT Katrine Horne RAN, ADC to Commander Australian Fleet; Mr. Jonathan Wood, Deputy-Consul-General of United Kingdom (partly obscurred, holding wreath); Warrant Officer Brad Lahey, RAN; Ms. Jill Hayes, FFFAIF Committee Member. Obsurred at the back Mr. Chris Bryett, FFFAIF Committee Member; Mr. Patrick Lindsay, Author and FFFAIF Honorary Member; Mr. Peter Allen, NAJEX; Roger Selby, President NAJEX; Ms Julie Searant; Mrs Toni Smith; and Ms Kerrie McDiarmid, Principal St Mary’s Cathedral College.
Permission was obtained from the City of Sydney and NSW Police for the Commemorative Procession which was escorted by NSW Police Officers of the Protection Operations Unit to the Anzac Memorial.
Procession participants assembled ready for the arrival of the Legacy Torch
Royal Australian Navy Band Sydney, under the direction of Chief Petty Officer Lucas Kennedy, RAN.
The Australian National Flag Ensign was LT Gabrielle Hendry, Sydney University Regiment, 8th Bde with The French Tricolour was carried by OCDT Harrison, Sydney University Regiment, part of 8th Bde. 8th Bde was one of the 3 Brigades that fought in the Battle of Fromelles. 8th Bde is now part of the Second Australian Division.
Participants in the Commemorative Procession shown include (left to right) MAJGEN David Thomae, Commander Second Australian Division; Mr Dennis Wilson; Rear Admiral Chris Smith, RAN, Commander Australian Fleet; General The Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove; The Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency Margaret Beazley; Legatee Tim Becker, Acting President, Sydney Legacy; Jim Munro, President FFFAIF; Legatee Eric Easterbrook, Legacy Australia Chairman; BRIG Malcolm Wells, Chief of Staff Forces Command; LIEUT Katrine Horne RAN, ADC to Commander Australian Fleet; ADC CAPT Robert Powell, ADC to Commander Second Australian Division; Stuart Quamby; COL Catherine Carrigan, Director ADF Support to Legacy Centenary; Mrs Rosalyn Quarmby; Greg Finlayson.
The arrival of the unlit Legacy Centenary Torch
Maddie Davies of Perfect Events delivering the unlit Legacy Centenary Torch to Eric Easterbrook, Chair of Legacy Australia and thence transfer to General The Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove to carry to the Anzac Memorial where it is to be lit from the Flame of Remembrance.
The Commemorative Procession stepped-off from the Archibald Fountain at 10:15am accompanied by the Royal Australian Navy Band Sydney, under the direction of Chief Petty Officer Lucas Kennedy, RAN.
[Click on web-site images to enlarge and see more detail, right click to download and save]
The Commemorative Procession was led by a Flag Party carrying the Australian National Flag and the French Tricolour. In previous years the French Tricolour was carried by a representative of the Association des Anciens Combatants Francais de Nouvelle Galles du Sud (French War Veterans of NSW), however this year both its President, Philippe Mailois and last-year’s flag bearer Bernard Fontaine, were suffering with COVID19 and were unavailable, and at short notice the French Consul-General Mr. Martin Julliard provided a replacement flag. OCDT Harrison, of Sydney University Regiment, who was to be the Australian National Flag bearer stepped in to carry the French Tricolour and LT. Gabrielle Hendry, Sydney University Regiment, stepped in to be the Australian National Flag bearer. As both theses serving soldiers were in 8th Brigade, this was an appropriate link with the Battle of Fromelles. Their initiative and flexibility in adapting to the changed circumstances is greatly appreciated and enabled the strong bond between Australia and France during the Great War to be visibly demonstrated more than a century later.
[Click on web-site images to enlarge and see more detail, right click to download and save]
To see and hear the Royal Australian Navy Band Sydney march past, click on this link.
Link to 2023_07_19_10_15 Fromelles_SMCC 1 Procession C_R68270.MP4
Civic Dignitaries, Consular representatives and ADF personnel in the Commemorative Procession included:
The Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC with
Mr Dennis Wilson and ADC Lieutenant Commander Robert Valler, RAN
Consul-General of the Republic of France Mr. Martin Juillard
Deputy-Consul-General of United Kingdom Mr. Jonathan Wood
General The Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC(Mil) CVO MC (RETD) immediate past FFFAIF Patron-in-Chief and former Governor-General of Australia
The Returned and Services League of Australia NSW Branch, President, Mr. Ray James OAM and Deputy-Chair of The Anzac Memorial Trustees and Mrs. Pauline James
Rear Admiral Chris Smith AM CSM RAN, Commander Australian Fleet and ADC LIEUT Katrine Horne RAN
Major General David Thomae AM, Commander Second Australian Division and ADC CAPT Robert Powell
BRIG Malcolm Wells, Chief of Staff Forces Command, representing Australian Army Commander, Forces Command, Major General Susan Coyle, AM, CSC, DSM
Legacy Australia Chairman, Legatee Eric Easterbrook
Sydney Legacy, Acting President, Legatee Tim Becker
COL Catherine Carrigan, Director ADF Support to Legacy Centenary, Joint Support Services Division
Warrant Officer Brad Lahey, RAN
To see and hear the Royal Australian Navy Band Sydney march past, click on this link.
Link to 2023_07_19_10_16 Fromelles_SMCC 2 Procession Vincent Nguyen SCS C_0001.MP4
Representatives of DVA, FFFAIF and ex-service and descendant organisations in the Commemorative Procession included:
Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Commissioner NSW/ACT, Ms Victoria Benz
NSW Division, Australian Red Cross, Chair, Mr. John MacLennan
NSW Association of Jewish Service and Ex-Service Men & Women (NAJEX) President Roger Selby
NSW Association of Jewish Service and Ex-Service Men & Women (NAJEX) Mr. Peter Allen
Fromelles Association of Australia Secretary Jim Smith and Mrs Toni Smith
Fromelles Family Reflection special guest, Dr. Stuart Quarmby for A/Sgt William Ryan and Cpl Alfred Tuck and Mrs. Roslyn Quarmby
Fromelles Family Reflection special guest, Greg Finlayson, for Sgt Albert Marshall 60Bn KIA Fromelles
Mr. Patrick Lindsay AM, Author and FFAIF Honorary Member
FFFAIF President Jim Munro
FFFAIF Committee Member Ms. Jill Hayes,
FFFAIF Committee Member Mr. Chris Bryett
FFFAIF Marshall Lt. Col. Paul Simadas RFD (also FFFAIF Vice President and Co-Chair Australian Branch of the Western Front Association)
Mr. Bill Phippen OAM (52 NSW railway and tramway men died at Fromelles)
Ms. Julie Searant, Honouring her great uncles Lt James Murray (MBE) 55Bn & Lt Aubrey Murray (MC) 35Bn and Grandfather Sgt Harold Murray 30Bn
Mr Michael Burden, FFFAIF Education Committee representative
Principal Kerrie McDiarmid, St Mary’s Cathedral College and
Mr Stephen Garry, History Teacher, St Mary’s Cathedral College and students
The Commemorative Procession at Park Street
The Commemorative Procession in Hyde Park South approaching the Pool of Reflection
The Commemorative Procession was led by The Royal Australian Navy Band Sydney, under the direction Chief Petty Officer Lucas Kennedy, RAN
Followed by the Flag Party of LT. Gabrielle Hendry, Sydney University Regiment, 8th Bde and OCDT. Harrison, Sydney University Regiment, 8th Bde.
With Photography and Videography: St Mary’s Cathedral College students.
The Fromelles Commemorative Procession reached the Pool of Reflection on their way to the Anzac Memorial
[Click on web-site images to enlarge and see the Anzac Memorial staff and others awaiting the Procession arrival]
The Procession was greeted at the Anzac Memorial by:
Margaret Snodgrass OAM, FFFAIF Committee Member; and
Master of Ceremonies, Darren Mitchell.
Also at the Anzac Memorial were:
Ambassador of Belgium, His Excellency Mr. Michel Goffin
Lady Lynne Cosgrove
Asst. Minister for Veterans and Federal Member for Kingsford Smith, Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP
Legatee Lt Colonel John Bertram (Rtd) AM
Legacy Australia Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Graham Boyd
Project Coordination Officer, Defence Support to Legacy Centenary, Joint Support Services Division Lieutenant Commander Michael (Chuck) Connors, OAM, RAN
Office of Aust War Graves Director, COL Tim Bayliss AM (Rtd)
Custodian of the Anzac Memorial and Operations Manager, The Returned and Services League of Australia NSW Branch, Mr. Jeff O’Brien
Events Manager RSL NSW, Ms. Lisa Whitehouse
Director, Office for Veterans Affairs and Honorary Secretary, Trustees of the Anzac Memorial, Ms Caroline Mackaness
Office for Veterans Affairs, Manager, Events and Communications, Mr. Nick Young
Australian War Widows NSW, State President, Ms. Queen Dunbar
The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies NSW, President Professor Michael Hough AM RFD
Robert Muscat, President, Military History Society of New South Wales
Ms Karen Dawson, Treasurer and Mrs Arline Ronsisvalle, Secretary (honouring Pte A Jones 55Bn, POW Fromelles) representing Australian World War One Descendants (AWWOD);
Mr. Harry Allie BEM, Chair of the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Commemoration Service Committee
Fromelles Family Reflection special guest, Mr. Tony Young for Major Charles Cosgrove MC (Fromelles) AMC, 53Bn
Piper Jim Braid, NSW Scottish Regimental Association Pipes and Drums, for Sgt James Dodd 53Bn and Pte Downie Dodd 55Bn KIA Fromelles;
Pastor, Bob Durbin, Chaplain, RSL LifeCare;
WO1 Darryl Holzhauser, Regimental Sergeant Major, Joint Ceremonial NSW of the Australian Army; and
NSW Police Band, Bugler, Musician Adam Malone
NSW Police Band Vocalist Belinda Parsons and her accompanist Musician Tim Fisher
7 Network NEWS;
9 News
The Commemorative Procession marched past the Pool of Reflection where the veterans of the 5th Division had formed up to honour their comrades in their final parade in 1966 on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles.
1966 5th Div Fromelles Anniversary Parade as reported in September 1966 Reveille
The Commemorative Procession arriving at the Anzac Memorial at 10:24am
Special thanks go to the Procession Marshall, Lt. Col. Paul Simadas RFD, Vice President Families and Friends of the First AIF and Chairman, Australian Branch, Western Front Association who co-ordinated many of the arrangements for the Procession including liaising with the NSW Police and City of Sydney Events Team to ensure the security for the Procession and safe passage across Park Street and establishing the Order of Procession.
Special thanks also to the Royal Australian Navy Band Sydney and to the students and staff of St Mary’s Cathedral College for capturing images of the Commemorative Procession for sharing with the broader community now and in the future.
Commencement of the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay through Sydney including the hand-over of a family Military Cross and the Last Post Ceremony
FFFAIF Member Tony Young handed over custody of the Military Cross awarded to Capt Charles Cosgrove 53Bn for treating the wounded during the battle of Fromelles to his great nephew General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC(Mil) CVO MC.
The un-lit Legacy Commemorative Torch is taken to the Flame of Remembrance by Torch Bearer John Bertram accompanied by General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Eric Easterbrook OAM Chairman of Legacy Australia and Tim Becker Acting President Sydney Legacy.
The Ode is recited by General Sir Peter Cosgrove with John Bertram and Eric Easterbrook. The Last Post sounded by Police Bugler. Major General David Thomae AM with and ADC CAPT Robert Powell and Commander, Second Australian Division Rear Admiral Christopher Smith, AM, CSM, RAN, Commander Australian Fleet with LIEUT Katrine Horne RAN.
The Legacy Commemorative Torch, lit from the Flame of Remembrance, is held by John Bertram accompanied by Tim Becker, Eric Easterbrook, Her Excellency Margaret Beazley and General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
The Governor of New South Wales, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, The Patron of Sydney Legacy, The Honourable Matt Thistlethwaite MP, Assistant Minister for Veterans’, Assistant Minister for Defence, Torch Bearer John Bertram transfers the flame to first relay torch bearer Dianne Vogt watched by Mr Tim Becker, Acting President Sydney Legacy. Her Excellency cuts the ribbon to start the relay across Sydney accompanied by Mr Eric Easterbrook, OAM Chairman of Legacy Australia, Tim Becker Torch Bearer John Bertram and first relay torch bearer Dianne Vogt.
The Commemoration Service for the Battle of Fromelles and Wreath-laying.
The Commemorative service commenced with entry of the Australian and French national flags and the singing of O Valiant Hearts, led by NSW Police Band Vocalist Belinda Parsons.
Master of Cermonies Dr Darren Mitchell OAM read a message from the Governor- General and invited Her Excellency, Governor of NSW, Margaret Beasley AC KC to deliver a Prologue followed by Pastor Bob Durbin offering a prayer.
Dr Stuart Qarmby delivered a Family Reflection for the relatives of A/Sgt William Ryan and Cpl Alfred Tuck
Pastor Bob Durbin led a payer and blessing, Consul-General Mr. Martin Juillard delivered a Message from France, and FFFAIF President Jim Munro concluded with an Epilogue.
Vocalist Belinda Parsons led the singing of the National Anthems of France, New Zealand and United Kingdom before guests moved to the Hall of Memory for the Commemorative Star Ceremony.
Her Excellency Margaret Beasley AC KC andf Mr Wilson placed the wreath on behalf of the People of NSW adjacent to the 5th Division wreath stand used in 1966.
Major General David Thomae AM, Commander Second Australian Division placed a wreath in acknowledgement of the commitment made by the Trustees to honour the Battle of Fromelles and the men of the Fifth Division and Mr Ray James, President, The Returned and Services League of Australia NSW Branch Wreath on behalf of the RSL NSW and on behalf of the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial Building for those who served.
Mr. Jonathan Cook, Deputy Consul-General of United Kingdom placed a wreath on behalf of the Citizens of United Kingdom and His Excellency Mr Michel Goffin, Ambassador of Belgium placed a Wreath on behalf of the Citizens of Belgium.
LT Gabrielle Hendry and OCDT. Harrison of Sydney University Regiment, 8th Bde, Australian Army placed a wreath on behalf of The Australian Defence Forces for those who have and currently serve. Ms Victoria Benz, Deputy Commissioner NSW & ACT, Department of Veteran Affairs placed a wreath for War Veterans, and Queen Dunbar, State President, Australian War Widows NSW Wreath for War Widows of Australia.
John MacLennan, Chair NSW Division, Australian Red Cross, with, Tim Becker, Acting President, Sydney Legacy and Mr. Graham Boyd, CEO, Legacy Australia laying a wreath for Legatees; Jim Smith, Secretary Fromelles Association of Australia and Arline Ronsisvale, Secretary, Australian World War One Descendants laying a wreath on behalf of Wreath on behalf of World War One Descendants. Vocalist Belinda Parsons led the singing of the Australian National Anthem.
A comprehensive photo-essay of the Commemoration is available for viewing and downloading from the www.fffaif.org.au website at Fromelles Day Sydney 19 July 2023: Commemorative Procession from the Archibald Fountain to the Anzac Memorial. In this copy, by necessity, many of the photographs have been reduced in size or omitted, however in the photo-essay uploaded to the www.fffaif.org.au website, clicking on most of the images enlarges them to see greater detail such as faces and the flowers in the floral tributes. The Fromelles Day Sydney Commemoration report as a Souvenir can be downloaded from the www.fffaif.org.au website.
Lest We Forget
Jim Munro,
President of FFFAIF
July 2023
A copy of this report and some of the photographs have been posted to the FFFAIF website at www.fffaif.org.au and Facebook page as is further coverage of the Commencement of the Legacy Centenary Torch Relay through Sydney and the Fromelles Commemoration Services.