:in Melbourne

Remembering Fromelles in Melbourne

The Shrine of Remembrance was the site of Melbourne’s Commemorative Service for the 93^rd anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles.

Photo: Fromelles Commemorative Service
(l to r)
Tim Whitford, Lambis Englezos, Guillaume Moreel, Major General Mike O’Brien

‘Friends of the 15^th Brigade’ and members of the FFFAIF were present at the service. Special guest at this year’s service was the grandson of Mme Demassiet’s, Guillaume Moreel. It was on the land belonging to Mme Demassiet at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles, that the burial pits of the missing from Fromelles were located.

Photo: Tim Whitford addressing Commemorative Service

FFFAIF member Tim Whitford gave the address during the service. Tim recalled the life of Bert Stiles from Williamstown, one of the young soldiers who was killed in the Battle of Fromelles.

Following the service over 100 people attended the launch of Robin Corfield’s book Don’t forget me, cobber. The much anticipated updated edition of Robin’s book was launched by Major General Mike O’Brien, the senior Australian Army officer responsible for the Fromelles Project.

The above photos were supplied by Tim Whitford. To view additional photos of the Commemorative Service and book launch in Melbourne on the Photonet website click here. 

The Publisher of Don’t forget me, cobber – Melbourne University Publications – is offering this book at a special price for FFFAIF members and visitors to this website. To find out how to order an autographed copy click here for details.

Lambis Engelzos was interviewed on ABC Radio in Melbourne by Richard Stubbs on Monday’s Afternoon program to promote Don’t forget me, cobber and tell the story of the Battle of Fromelles. Copies of the interview can be downloaded from the ABC website by clicking here and selecting Monday 20 July 2009.

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The Families and Friends of the First AIF thanks the Australian, UK and French governments for affording Australian and British soldiers buried in mass graves at Pheasant Wood by German soldiers following the Battle of Fromelles on 19/20 July 1916 dignified individual reburials in a new CWGC cemetery at Fromelles, and applauds the joint decision to DNA test the remains at exhumation and use every reasonable method to attempt identification of each soldier.