Fromelles Day Sydney Friday 19 July 2024: Commemorative Procession from the Archibald Fountain to the Anzac Memorial and Commemorative Service
A copy of this Fromelles Day Sydney 19 July 2024 Commemorative Procession and Commemoration Souvenir is available for downloading by clicking on this link.
Commemorative Procession from the Archibald Fountain to the Anzac Memorial
The Battle of Fromelles in northern France on 19-20 July 2016 was the first battle involving Australian troops on the Western Front following the withdrawal from Gallipoli. It was a tragic disaster, with more than 2,160 Australian soldiers killed or died of wounds in their first 2 weeks of arrival, including 96 in the lead up to the battle, 1,815 killed during the 16-hour battle and during clearing the casualties from the battlefield, and 299 who died of wounds after the battle. In addition, there were 3,383 Australian soldiers wounded and 482 taken prisoner (6 of whom died of causes not related to the battle), totalling 5,533 casualties. 814 British soldiers were killed or died of wounds at, or because of, the Battle of Fromelles. The British High Command described these 2,964 deaths as occurring during an “important raid” in which 140 prisoners were captured. German casualties were 469 killed and 978 wounded and 204 missing. Australian casualties included the 250 men buried by the Germans after the battle whose graves were located in 2008, and were exhumed in 2009 and in 2010 were reinterred in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery. 180 of these soldiers have now been identified by archaeological and anthropological analysis as well as DNA matching with relatives and now have their named headstone.
The Families and Friends of the First AIF in conjunction with the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial, hosted the Commemoration of the 108th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles at The Anzac Memorial Hyde Park, Sydney on Friday 19th July 2024. While the Commemoration is in the post- COVID19 pandemic period, and there were no NSW Government’s Public Health restrictions on events such as the Commemorative Procession and Commemoration, an abundance of caution was incorporated in the planning arrangements and personal responsibility was promoted. The 2024 Fromelles commemoration service was held in fine weather and with an attendance of over 60 invited guests including dignitaries, the relatives of the men who served in the battle, and representatives of Remembrance and Veterans’ groups.
The Commemorative Procession leaving the Archibald Fountain.
All images are by Michael Mannington for Community Photography unless otherwise acknowledged. [Click on images to see more detail]
The Commemorative Procession steps off from the Archibald Fountain
The Commemorative Process in Hyde Park North
The service was preceded by the Commemorative Procession in fine weather from the Archibald Memorial Fountain, that commemorates the association of Australia and France in The Great War, to the steps of the Anzac Memorial, re-enacting the 1966 final parade of the veterans of the 5th Division on the 50th anniversary of the Battle. Led by three flag-bearers carrying the Australian National Flag the French national Tricolour and a replica 55th Battalion King’s Colour, the procession of 43 men and women made the 400-metre walk through Hyde Park, representing the crossing of “no man’s land” during the battle, to enter the Memorial and assemble in the Auditorium.
The Australian flag was carried by a Lance Corporal of the Sydney University Regiment, the French flag by a returned French veteran of the Algerian War, and the replica King’s Colour by a representative of the 55th/53rd Battalion Association. A drummer of the Australian Army Band-Sydney beat the pace for the Commemorative procession.
The Commemorative Procession in Hyde Park North and crossing Park Street
Permission was obtained from the City of Sydney and NSW Police for the Commemorative Procession with physical distancing requested of participants. The Procession was then escorted by NSW Police Officers to the Anzac Memorial.
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. A record of the Parade and Ceremony held in Hyde Park on 19 July 1966 is at Annexure C.
The Commemorative Procession in Hyde Park South passing the Pool of Reflection
Flag Ensigns Lance Corporal Norman X of Sydney University Regiment with M. Bernard Fontaine, French War Veterans of NSW and Colour Bearer Braith Gallard of the 55/53Bn Association at the head of the Commemorative Procession.
Civic Dignitaries and Consular representatives as well as representatives of ex-service and descendant organisations participated in the Commemorative Procession.
Participants in the Commemorative Procession included:
Australian National Flag bearer Lance Corporal Norman X of Sydney University Regiment;
French National Flag bearer Bernard Fontaine, representing the Association des Anciens Combatants Francais de Nouvelle Galles du Sud (French Veterans Association of New South Wales);
55Bn King’s Colours Bearer Braith Gallard of the 55/53Bn Association;
Australian Army Band-Sydney Drummer, XX
Li Jason Yat-Sen MP, Member for Strathfield representing The Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of New South Wales and Chair, The Anzac Memorial Trustees and
the Minister for Veterans, The Hon David Harris MP;
Mark Hodges MP, The Member for Castle Hill, representing The Hon. Mark Speakman, MP NSW Opposition Leader and the Shadow Minister for Veterans Ms. Robyn Preston MP.
His Excellency Mr Michel Goffin, Ambassador of Belgium.
Mr. Ed Kitt, Deputy Consul-General of United Kingdom.
Mr. Bill Dobbie, Consul-General of New Zealand.
M. Martin Juillard, Consul-General Republic of France.
BRIG Robert Calhoun, representing MAJGEN David Thomae and the 2nd Australian Division.
Dr. Carolyn Butler-Bowdon, State Librarian and Trustee of the Anzac Memorial Building.
Ms Sonia Gregory, Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Commissioner NSW/ACT.
Howard Collins OBE, Coordinator General, Transport for NSW; with
Bill Phippen OAM (52 NSW railway and tramway men died at Fromelles).
LTCOL Ian Henderson (Rtd), representing the President, Remembrance Driveway Committee.
Jean Louis Worobec, President, representing the Association des Anciens Combatants Francais de Nouvelle Galles du Sud (French War Veterans of NSW).
Legatee Ian Thompson, President, Sydney Legacy.
Frances Cairns representing the Military History Society of New South Wales
MAJ John Hitchen (Rtd) member of RUSI NSW, the Military History Society of New South Wales and Western Front Association, whose Grandfather Cpl. Bill HITCHEN helped organised the Cooee March from Gilgandra;
COL. Kim Turner RFD (Rtd) President, The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies NSW;
Roger Selby, President NSW Association of Jewish Service and Ex-Service Men & Women (NAJEX); and
Peter Allen, NSW Association of Jewish Service and Ex-Service Men & Women (NAJEX)
Ms Karen Dawson, Treasurer and Mrs Arline Ronsisvalle, Secretary (honouring Pte Albert JONES 55Bn, POW Fromelles) representing Australian World War One Descendants (AWWOD);
Annette Tebb, descendant of Ernest JENTSCH, 53Bn, KIA Fromelles;
Julie Searant, Honouring her great uncles Lt James MURRAY (MBE) 55Bn & Lt Aubrey MURRAY (MC) 35Bn and Grandfather Sgt Harold MURRAY 30Bn;
Lorraine Henshaw, FFFAIF member honouring her relative.
Kristi-Ann Kane and Bruce Redman
Vanessa Hicks
Warren Smith, FFFAIF Member
Margaret Perry, whose father was a Warrant Officer and Bn Sgt Major in the 53/55Bn
Carole Matthews, a member of the 55/53Bn Association
Raelene Mills, a member of the 55/53Bn Association
John Moore, Masonic Sub-Branch RSL NSW
Lisa Whitehouse, RSL Events Manager,
Chris Bryett, FFFAIF Committee Member
FFFAIF Marshall Lt. Col. Paul Simadas RFD (also FFFAIF Vice President and Co-Chair Australian Branch of the Western Front Association).
Fromelles Commemorative Procession passed the Pool of Reflection on their way to the Anzac Memorial
The Procession was greeted at the Anzac Memorial by:
Margaret Snodgrass OAM, FFFAIF Committee Member; and
Sue Tongue, FFFAIF Committee Member, and
Master of Ceremonies, Darren Mitchell, with
Piper Jim Braid, NSW Scottish Regimental Association Pipes and Drums, for Sgt James Dodd 53Bn and Pte Downie Dodd 55Bn KIA Fromelles;
Also at the Anzac Memorial:
Harry Allie BEM, Chair of the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Commemoration Service Committee;
Fire + Rescue NSW Vocalist Carolynne Szady and her accompanist Graeme Press, and
Bugler, Terry McCleary, Fire & Rescue NSW Band, for Capt. Gunter 54Bn;
Chaplain Andrew Robinson, Deputy Command Chaplain, Headquarters Forces Command
WO1 Darryl Holzhauser, Regimental Sergeant Major, Joint Ceremonial NSW of the Australian Army; and
Queen Dunbar, State President, Families and Veterans Guild, formerly Australian War Widows NSW
Josh, Oscar (11yr old) and Charlotte (9yr old) Graham, relatives of Pte Herbert James GRAHAM, 54Bn, whose named headstone was being unveiled in Fromelles that evening.
Helen and Mark Bainbrigge. Helen is a relative of Ernest Frank Studdon, who served as WELLING, 30Bn whose named headstone was being unveiled in Fromelles that evening.
Julie Eastgate
Rene Herbert whose 20yr old Uncle Stanley George Herbert 53Bn was KIA at Fromelles.
Ed Ronsisvalle
With media coverage by:
Photographer Mike Mannington, Community Photography; and
7 Network NEWS.
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.
Commemorative Service for the 108th Anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles
The Commemorative Service was held in the Anzac Memorial Auditorium on the 92nd anniversary of the official dedication of its two foundation stones in 1932 by Sir Phillip Game, the Governor of NSW and Bertram Stevens, then Premier of New South Wales. Over 15,000 people assembled to witness the dedication of the stones bearing the words “A soldier set this stone” and “A citizen set this stone”. This date was also the 16th anniversary of the first battle on the Western Front involving Australian troops at Fromelles.
The Flag party led the Participants to the Auditorium and formed up outside the Auditorium to await the to make a formal entry to the Auditorium and placed their flags in a flag stand and the Commemoration Service commenced.
Australian National Flag bearer L. Cpl Norman XX and French National Flag bearer Bernard Fontaine placed the Australian and French National flags in the flagstand for the salute to commence the commemoration service.
Vocalist Firefighter Carolynne Szady with Accompanist Graeme Press leads O Valiant Hearts
The Commemoration greatly benefited by the presence of Firefighter Carolynne Szady and her accompanist Graeme Press. Carolynne is an operational Firefighter who is opera-trained and proficient at singing the French National Anthem in French and the bi-lingual New Zealand National Anthem in addition to the other hymns and National Anthems in the Order of Service.
Master of Ceremonies, and FFFAIF Member, Darren Mitchell welcomed guests to the Anzac Memorial. After the Commemoration paused in reflection while the Last Post sounded as part of Anzac Memorial’s Daily Service of Remembrance at 11 o’clock Ceremony, with a Minute’s silence followed by the Rouse, Darren then read a Vice Regal Message from Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, recently appointed as Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. A copy of this message is at Annexure A and a copy of the Order of Service is at Annexure B.
Acknowledgement of Country
Harry Allie BEM AM, Chair of the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Commemoration Service Committee led an Acknowledgement of Country on behalf of Aboriginal elders. Harry conveyed that this site where the Anzac Memorial has been a meeting place for centuries past as it is at present and referred to the contribution of the indigenous Diggers to this country and its heritage and values.
The Prologue
FFFAIF Committee member Mr John Sterne delivered the Prologue which included reference to his ancestor John Ernest Skene of the 30th Battalion.
FFFAIF Committee MemberJohn Skene and descendants of soldiers who fought in the Battle of Fromelles
John invited those attending the Commemoration to indicate if they had relatives who had participated in the Battle of Fromelles.
John also displayed pictures of the seven Australian soldiers recently identified by DNA analysis and recognised at CWGC Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery headstone dedication Service in France on this day.
Pte Alfred William FITCH (ANSELL), No 2825, 5th Pioneer Battalion 1886-1916
Pte George Robert BARNATT, No 1062, 29th Bn, D Company 1885-1916
Cpl Percy George Archibald BARR, No 3006, 54th Bn. 1896-1916
Pte William Christopher BRUMBY, No 585, 31st Bn, C Company 1885-1916
Pte Herbert James GRAHAM, No 3543, 54th Bn 1892-1916
L.Cpl Harold Thomson SMITH, No. 509, 8th Field Company Engineers 1896-1916
Pte Ernest Frank (STUDDON) WELLING, No. 1311, 30th Bn, C Coy 1884-1916
Alfred William FITCH served as Pte ANSELL
Pte George Robert BARNATT
Cpl Percy G. A. BARR
Pte William Christopher BRUMBY
Pte Herbert James GRAHAM
L.Cpl Harold SMITH
Pte Ernest Frank WELLING
Images from the Fromelles Association website Soldier Stories from the Battle of Fromelles where detailed stories for hundreds of soldiers are presented.
John welcomed Josh Graham and children Oscar (11yr old) and Charlotte (9yr old) as relatives of Pte Herbert James GRAHAM, 54Bn, whose named headstone was being unveiled in Fromelles during their commemorative service that evening.
Also present was Helen Bainbrigge, whose grandmother’s brother was Ernest Frank Studdon, who served as Welling, 30Bn, His named headstone was also being unveiled in Fromelles during their commemorative service that evening.
Images from the Fromelles Association website Soldier Stories from the Battle of Fromelles
Padre Andrew Robinson, Deputy Command Chaplain, Headquarters Forces Command led a prayer remembering the soldiers killed, wounded or taken prisoner and those changed by their experiences in the battle and their families and giving thanks that some of those soldiers who were “lost” have now been found and those did not have a final resting place and now do.
Vocalist Firefighter Carolynne Szadey then led the singing of Abide with Me.
Fire + Rescue NSW Vocalist Firewoman Carolynne Szadey leads Abide With Me
A Family Reflection: Albert Jones
Arline Ronsisvalle delivered the Family Reflection for her Great Uncle, Pte. Albert Jones of the 55th Battalion, who was taken prisoner at Fromelles and spent the rest of the war in PoW camps.
Albert was a 33year old Metal ceiling fixer (installing pressed metal ceilings) when he enlisted in September 1916. Initially a reinforcement in the 17Bn with Service Number #3097, he transferred to the 55Bn in February 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt. The Battle of Fromelles was his first and only battle experience.
Family Reflection by Arline Ronsisvalle and Australian POWs en-route to Lille 20 July 1916 led by Capt Charles Mills 31Bn and Capt Robert Keay 32Bn AWM A01545During his time in prison camps, Albert performed in musical and stage performances to entertain his POW colleagues. Fortunately, the AWM has a collection of photos featuring Albert.
The camp barracks and theatre for Prisoners of War (POW) at Dulmen POW Camp, Germany AWM P1981.059 and AWM P03236.275 ARCS
Pte Albert Jones and Pte Matthew Findlay; Right: Australian POWs in concert costumes – Sgt John Trevenion, Pte Albert Jones and Pte Matthew Findlay AWM P03236.079
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Pte Albert Jones and Pte Matthew Finlay in both ‘Pierrette’s Awakening’ and ‘Painless Dentistry’ theatrical productions at Soltau POW camp near Hanover, Germany. AWM P01981.039 and AWM P08218.003
Albert Jones survived the war and Returned to Australia, but died 8 years later, aged 45 years.
Images supplied by Arlene Ronsisvale
Albert Jones is remembered by his family, who honour his memory each year in the ANZAC Day March with the Australian World War One Descendants (AWWOD) contingent and the Fromelles Day Commemoration.
Padre Andrew Robinson led a Prayer and Blessing.
A Message from France
The Consul-General for the Republic of France, Mr. Martin Juillard delivered a Message from France, expressing appreciation for Australian support since The Great War and continuing today.
M. Martin Juillard delivers a Message from France
As democracies, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Belgium and France have many shared values, as was the case during the Great War – typified by friendship, loyalty and what Australians call “mateship” and we French call “fraternity” – and it is important that we transmit these values to the new generations.
The Epilogue
Brigadier Allan Murray provided the Epilogue which included reference to his ancestor Driver Willy Thompson of the 30th Battalion and how Willy’s experiences influenced the family and his own life and service. Willy was a 25 year old miner in Newcastle when he enlisted in July 1915 and became a Driver in the Transport section of 30Bn. 30Bn transferred from Egypt and were briefly in the front line at Bois Grenier before marching to Fleurbaix. 30Bn were a reserve Battalion in the Battle of Fromelles carrying ammunition and supplies for the assaulting Battalions and then reinforcing them. From a strength of 27 officers and 942 Other ranks, 20 officers and 534 Other ranks were on Strength 3 days later. Willy stayed with the 30Bn and RTA in May 1919.
BRIG Murray concluded that honouring all of the men involved in the battle of Fromelles and the 5th Division, and appreciating impact on their families through the generations is important in our resolve for peace, Lest we Forget.
The singing of the National Anthems of France, New Zealand and the United Kingdom was led by The Fire + Rescue NSW Vocalist Firefighter Carolynne Szadey accompanied by Graeme Press.
Carolynne then sang The Recessional to close the Service in the Auditorium as participants passed beneath the Ocular as they moved through the Hall of Service and into the Hall of Memory.
The Hall of Memory viewed through the Ocular above the Hall of Service and the sculpture Sacrifice
Wreath laying, Casting Commemorative Stars and the Last Post Ceremony
Master of Ceremonies Darren Mitchell explained the significance of the commemorative ceremonies in the Hall of Memory.
Gathering for wreath-laying in the Hall of Memory
Laying the wreath for the 5th Division
In 1966, more than 500 veterans of the 5th Division marked the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles with a Parade from the Archibald Fountain and joined about 300 people unable to march at the Ceremony by the Pool of Reflection at the Anzac Memorial. It was the last Parade for the veterans. (See Annexure Fromelles 50th Anniversary – A record of the Parade and Ceremony held in Hyde Park on 19 July 1966 and Extract from Reveille May 1966 and September 1966).
The Parade carried their request to the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial to always remember on 19 July 1916 their 8,100 comrades Killed in Action during the First World War and those who had died since.
The Trustees agreed to this and each year the 5th Division AIF Wreath Stand has been brought out to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle at Fromelles, usually the 19th July each year and usually in the France and Belgium niche (there have been some variations as the Commemoration has grown and when COVID restrictions were in place).
In acknowledgement of the commitment made in 1966 the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial to honour the men of the Fifth Division AIF and the Battle of Fromelles, a wreath was laid by Peter Dowling, Secretary of the 55/53Bn Association.
Peter Dowling laying wreath in tribute to 5th Division
Commemorative Wreath laying in Hall of Memory
Piper Jim Braid, NSW Scottish Regimental Association Pipes and Drums, took up his position to play a Lament during the wreath-laying. Jim Braid is a relative of Sgt James Dodd 53Bn and Pte Downie Dodd 55Bn KIA Fromelles.
Master of Ceremonies Darren Mitchell then called forward the following dignitaries to lay their wreaths:
Li Jason Yat-Sen MP, Member for Strathfield representing The Hon. Chris Minns MP, Premier of New South Wales and Chair, The Anzac Memorial Trustees and
the Minister for Veterans, The Hon David Harris MP.
Left to right: Piper Jim Braid playing a Lament; Jeff O’Brien, State Secretary, Returned and Services League of Australia & custodian of the Anzac Memorial laying a wreath on behalf of the RSL NSW for those who served; and Consul-General Republic of France M. Martin Juillard, laying a wreath on behalf of the Citizens of France.
Consul-General of New Zealand Mr. Bill Dobbie laying a wreath on behalf of the Citizens of New Zealand and
Deputy Consul-General of United Kingdom Mr. Ed Kitt laying a wreath on behalf of the Citizens of United Kingdom;
The Ambassador of Belgium, His Excellency Mr Michel Goffin, laying a wreath on behalf of the Citizens of Belgium.
BRIG Robert Calhoun, representing MAJGEN David Thomae and the 2nd Australian Division Wreath on behalf of The Australian Defence Forces for those who have and currently serve.
Ms Sonia Gregory, Deputy Commissioner NSW & ACT, representing the Department of Veterans’ Affairs laying a wreath for War Veterans.
Queen Dunbar, State President, Families and Veterans Guild, formerly Australian War Widows NSW (no image)
Sue Tongue, Committee Member, Families and Friends of the First AIF laying a wreath for the Fallen at Fromelles.
BRIG Allan Murray and Arline Ronsisvalle, representing Australian World War One Descendants (AWWOD) laying a wreath on behalf of World War One descendants;
Annette Tebb, descendant of Ernest Jentsch, 53Bn, KIA Fromelles and honouring Ernest and those soldiers now lying in Pheasant Wood Cemetery;
Howard Collins OBE, Coordinator General, Transport for NSW with Bill Phippen OAM laying a wreath for the 52 NSW railway and tramway men who died at Fromelles and those who survived;
Ian Thompson, President, Sydney Legacy (no image).
Wreaths in memory of 5th Division; by Consul-General of New Zealand; by Consul-General of France; and for the Fallen and for the 5th Division soldiers at Fromelles.
Images by Community Photography
The Last Post Ceremony
The Ode was recited by BRIG Robert Calhoun representing
Major General David Thomae AM, Commander Second Australian Division
The Last Post was sounded by Terry McCleary of the Fire + Rescue NSW Band followed by The Silence and The Rouse. Terry’s wife Leonie is a relative of Captain Archibald Gunter MC, 54th Bn, Wounded at Fromelles.
The Last Post sounded by Bugler Terry McCleary of the Fire + Rescue NSW Band
Contemplation during The Silence
Terry McCleary then sounded The Rouse
Commemorative Stars
Crowning the Hall of Memory is a domed ceiling covered with approximately 120,000 tiny golden stars, a symbolic representation of the 130,000 men and women from New South Wales who embarked for overseas service during the Great War.
Descendants who were not able to attend due to the capacity limits applying at the Anzac Memorial were invited to send the names of soldier they wished to commemorate. The names of soldiers nominated for commemoration were added to Commemorative Stars of the same shape and colour as the 120,000 stars fixed in the Dome of Stars above the Hall of Memory Soldiers commemorated included those some of those soldiers who enlisted in NSW and who were killed in the Battle of Fromelles, including 52 Railway and Tramways employees and 11 Jewish soldiers.
BRIG Robert Calhoun, Mark Hodges MP, DVA’s Sonia Gregory and Chaplain Andrew Robinson receive Commemorative Stars from Anzac Memorial staff member Duncan and FFFAIF Committee Member Sue Tongue
Each participant in the Commemoration was given a commemorative star bearing the name of a New South Wales soldier killed during or died of wounds following the Battle of Fromelles. They were invited to cast it into the Well of Contemplation following a moment of reflection.
Stars released into the Well are collected and later cremated at Rookwood Cemetery. The ashes are carried on annual pilgrimages by the Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholars to the key battlefield sites of the Western Front, Gallipoli, the Middle East and Asia.
Reflection before casting the Commemorative Stars into the Well of Contemplation.
Visitors, Sonia Gregory, Harry Allie, John Hitchen, Kim Turner, Rene Herbert
The sculpture Sacrifice in the Hall of Silence and the Commemorative Stars
Vocalist Firewoman Carolynne Szady led the singing of the Australian National Anthem to conclude the Commemorative Service.
Post Commemoration
Following the Commemoration, the wreaths were relocated from the Anzac Memorial to the ANZAC Chapel at RSL Life Care ANZAC Village at Narrabeen for distribution throughout the Village for the benefit of residents and staff. Some went to Peter Cosgrove House and were made into small floral arrangements to be enjoyed by the residents.
ANZAC Chapel at the RSL Life Care ANZAC Village at Narrabeen Images by Jim Munro
In Appreciation
Special thanks go to the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial, their staff, and volunteers for facilitating and assisting in the Commemorative Service.
Also thanks to Michael Mannington, for Community Photography has created a good photographic record of the Commemoration and to the 7 Network News team for coverage.
Special thanks also to the Organising Committee of FFFAIF Members Margaret Snodgrass OAM, Darren Mitchell, Jill Hayes, Paul Simadas, Chris Bryett, John Skene and Geoffrey Benn, Anzac Memorial Operations Manager Belinda Mitrovich and Visitor Services Coordinator Jim Grey and Event Service Officer Milan Nettleton, ?? and Duncan ? and Warrant Officer Class One Darryl Holzhauser, Regimental Sergeant Major, Joint Ceremonial NSW of the Australian Army with support from Nick Young in the NSW Office of Veterans.
A special thanks to the florists who prepared the wreaths as floral tributes, with special appreciation to Bloomey’s Floral Designs for the 4 wreaths that they supplied. Thanks also to those who arranged for the wreaths to be relocated from the Anzac Memorial following the Commemoration to the RSL Life Care ANZAC Village at Narrabeen to be distributed throughout the Village for the benefit of residents and staff.
Gallery of Thanks
Australian Army Support
WO Class One Darryl Holzhauser, Regimental Sergeant Major, Joint Ceremonial NSW, Australian Army Band Sydney Drummer YY?, Lance Corporal Norman X? from Sydney University Regiment with Bernard Fontain.
French Veterans and 55/53 Bn Association
French Veterans Flag Bearer Bernard Fontain and President, Jean Louis Worobec, 55Bn King’s Colours Bearer Braith Gallard, Secretary Peter Dowling, Carole Matthews, Rae Mills and Marg Perry of the 55/53Bn Association.
Special Guests
His Excellency Mr Michel Goffin, Ambassador of Belgium; Mr. Ed Kitt, Deputy Consul-General of United Kingdom; Mr. Bill Dobbie, Consul-General of New Zealand; and M. Martin Juillard, Consul-General Republic of France.
Li Jason Yat-Sen MP, Member for Strathfield; Mark Hodges MP, The Member for Castle Hill; Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon State Librarian and Trustee; Ms Sonia Gregory, Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Commissioner NSW/ACT; Queen Dunbar, State President, Families and Veterans Guild.
MC Darren Mitchell with Remembrance Driveway Committee LTCOL Ian Henderson, BRIG Robert Calhoun and Transport for NSW Howard Collins with Bill Phippen.
Anzac Memorial Custodian and staff
Custodian and RSLNSW Secretary Jeff O’Brien, Duncan ?, ??, James Grey
Speakers
Uncle Harry Allie, John Skene, Chaplain Andrew Robinson, Arline Ronsisvale, BRIG Allan Murray
Vocalist and Musical support
Fire + Rescue NSW Vocalist Carolynne Szady, Accompanist Graeme Press, Piper Jim Braid and Bugler Terry McCleary
FFFAIF Working Group
Procession Marshall LTCOL Paul Simadas, Committee Members Sue Tongue and Margaret Snodgrass, Master of Ceremonies Darren Mitchell and seen in other images Chris Bryett and John Skene
Absent at the Commemoration in Fromelles Committee Members Jill Hayes, Geoffrey Benn and Jim Munro
A copy of this report with photographs has been posted to the FFFAIF website at www.fffaif.org.au and some photographs are at Families and Friends of the First AIF – Home | Facebook for viewing.
Lest We Forget
Paul Simadas, Vice-president Jim Munro, President
Annexures
Annexure B: Order of Service
Annexure C: A record of the Parade and Ceremony held in Hyde Park on 19 July 1966