Sydney Opportunity

Brothers in Arms –
The Story of the Zonnebeke Five

There is a unique opportunity for Sydneysiders to meet and hear Belgian amateur historian, Johan Vanderwalle speak about the part he played in the discovery of five Australian soldiers in 2007, lost under the mud of the Western Front since 1917 at Zonnebeke, Belgium. Johan’s incredible journey with the five long dead Diggers is compelling, and his quest to honour them has become a grand obsession.

Photo: Private George Storey,
one of the identified ‘Zonnebeke Five’ Diggers
[David Storey http://www.polygonwood.com/]

Johan will present his story at the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park Sydney on Monday 20^th December. As the The Shrine in Melbourne stated: His heartfelt presentation is not to be missed.  Come along at 10:30am entering through the Eastern or College Street doors of the Memorial.

Following the Presentation wreaths will be laid in commemoration of the Fallen.

For further details contact fffaif@yahoo.com.au or 0448 266 634.

*****

The Families and Friends of the First AIF applauds the joint Australian–UK decision, to conduct a full DNA testing program on the remains of Australian and British soldiers found in mass graves at Pheasant Wood (Fromelles), and for their continuing commitment to identify as many of the fallen as is possible. We also thank the Australian, UK and French governments for affording dignified individual reburials for these soldiers, buried by German soldiers following the Battle of Fromelles on 19/20 July 1916, in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery.