Season’s Greetings
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
From the 2013/14 FFFAIF Management Committee.
Peace on earth and goodwill to all men
Lest We Forget
*****
The office of the FFFAIF will be taking a break over the Festive Season and will re-open on Tuesday 28th January, 2014. The secretary will be checking emails, occassionally, throughout this period so there may be a delay in responses to secretary@fffaif.org.au
Monday 11th November 2013
Remembrance Day (11 November) marks the anniversary of the armistice which ended the First World War (1914–18). Each year Australians observe one minute silence at 11 am on 11 November, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.
Lest We Forget
2013 Annual General Meeting
Saturday 28 September 2013
Bathurst RSL Club
114 Rankin St
Bathurst NSW
2:30pm
Registration from 2:15 pm.
The AGM will be followed by a dinner commencing at 6:30pm.
2014 BATTLEFIELD and COMMEMORATIVE TOURS
Following the outstanding success of the 2010 and 2012 FFFAIF Western Front and Gallipoli Commemoration Tours, the Families and Friends of the First AIF are offering a similar chance for association members to partake in two tours in 2014.
This historic year commemorates the centenary of the commencement of World War 1 with tours coinciding with the anniversary of the declaration of war in August 1914. Join us on the battlefields and for this ‘Blighty’ experience to commemorate.
Photo: 2012 FFFAIF Tour Group at Australian Memorial, Villers Bretonneux
You are invited to join other members of the FFFAIF on one or both of these unique commemorative journeys to France, Belgium and the United Kingdom in 2014. Be with us on the Somme or in Flanders. Explore the tunnels and trenches of the region. Commemorate our brave ‘Diggers’ who have forged the memory of the First ‘Anzacs’. Be with us in London on the 4th August 2014; the Centenary Anniversary of the declaration of World War I in 1914. Join us for the experience of a lifetime with like-minded and dedicated travellers.
Option 1: 2014 FFFAIF Western Front Commemorative Tour
12 days – 14th to 25th July 2014 (to be confirmed)
Tour starts: Amsterdam – towards Ieper, Belgium
Tour Finishes: Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport
Visiting battlefields of significance to the Australians and a variety of other WWI sites across France and Belgium, this tour will allow members to immerse themselves in the history and follow in the footsteps of our ANZAC and Commonwealth forebears.
The tour is designed to encompass the major battlefields with minimal changes in accommodation, thus providing maximum exploration time on the ground. The famous centres of Ieper in Belgium, and Arras, Albert and Peronne (Assevillers) in France will be home for the 12 nights. Museums, cemeteries, memorials, tunnels, special commemorations, historic buildings and the chance to meet European and other members of the FFFAIF during group dinners and events will ensure a most memorable journey.
Price: $3,290 pp* (Twin share) – Single Supplement available ($600 pp)
Photo: The 2012 Tour Group visiting Vignacourt,
home of the Lost Diggers Photographic Exhibition
Option 2: 2014 FFFAIF United Kingdom ‘Blighty’ Commemorative Tour
12 days – 26th July to 6th August 2014
Tour starts: Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport
Tour Finishes: London Heathrow Airport
Starting in Paris, the UK ‘Blighty’ Commemorative Tour will cross the English Channel via the one of the many ‘Blighty’ routes as in World War I returning to England. We will skirt the French coastline and depart from Cherbourg or Le Harve (TBC), and travel to Portsmouth via North Sea ferry (TBC). We will then have to opportunity to visit many of the military sites of southern England, especially the Anzac training grounds of the Salisbury Plain, museums, war cemeteries, ancient sites, such as Stonehenge and Old Sarum, and more. We will conclude our tour in London, with visits to the Imperial War Museum, Horse Guards, and Hyde Park Memorials. The highlight of the tour being the participation in the 100th Anniversary commemoration of the declaration of war in London on the 4th August. This will be the opportunity of a lifetime.
Price: $3,690 pp* (Twin share) – Single Supplement available ($900 pp)
Photo: One of the many 2014 UK destinations:
St George’s Church Fovant.
Note: Group departure for the Western Front Tour will depart Sydney on specified date (TBC).
The tours offer 12 days on the Western Front (France and Belgium) and 12 days in Nth France and the United Kingdom.
The tours are designed to link with each other on or around the 26th July 2014 at Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport. Participants of both tours should stay in the designated hotel at the airport for departure the next morning on the UK tour (Included in tour cost). Tour and holiday extensions before or after group departure are possible. We can assist with extra travel arrangements. Itinerary above lists highlights of the tours only. Final itinerary will be determined closer to departure and could change minimally throughout.
* Land content only. Prices based on current Australian exchange rates and subject to currency fluctuations; minimum numbers of 25 per tour.
Option – Saver
For FFFAIF Members who join both tour options, there is a saving of $300 pp.
What to do next:
Contact – Chris Munro, FFFAIF Secretary on details below to indicate interest in the FFFAIF 2014 Western Front Commemorative Tour option and/or the FFFAIF 2014 United Kingdom ‘Blighty’ Commemorative Tour. Note the saving for members who participate in both tours.
Contact details:
Secretary FFFAIF
e-mail: secretary@fffaif.org.au
Please note: Requirements for participation in the 2014 tours include current membership of the FFFAIF – either standard, concession or family membership. The tours will fill quickly and spaces will be allocated in order of receipt of expressions of interest until full.
Interested in joining the Tour but not a member of the FFFAIF. Find out more by clicking here.
POZIERES COMMEMORATIVE SERVICE 2013
(Story and photos by FFFAIF Vice President Jim Munro)
The annual Commemorative Service for the Battle of Pozieres was held at Saint Columba Church, Woollahra on Sunday 21 July 2013. The band of The Scots College Pipes and Drums heralded the start of the service as they marched down Ocean/Forth Street towards the church. Lieutenant-Colonel Terry Betts Commanding Officer of 1/19 Royal New South Wales Regiment, took the salute.
Photo: The Scots College Pipes and Drums as Lieutenant-Colonel Terry Betts Commanding Officer of 1/19 Royal New South Wales Regiment takes the salute accompanied by Rev. Dr. Alan Russell,
More than 110 people attended the service including Members of the Association of the First Infantry Battalions and Association Des Anciens Combatants Francais (Association of French Veterans NSW).
Photo: The Queen’s and Regimental Colours of the First Battalion entering the church carried by the Colour Party of the RNSWR
The standards were received at the altar by Rev. Dr. Alan Russell, who conducted the Service along with Rev Brian Jago.
Photo: The Queen’s and Regimental Colours of the First Battalion laid upon the altar during the service along with the Australian and 1st Bn Association flags
Beneath the Pozieres Cross and the original 1st Bn Colours, The Last Post was played by Bugler Ms Jean Hope and The Ode was recited by WO1 Nathan Ahearn RSM 1/19th RNSWR. The Lament was followed by Reveille being sounded.
Photo: The Pozieres Cross and 1st Battalion AIF flags
The French National Anthem was sung by Tanith Bryce and pianist Mme Giselle Hoarau accompanied the singing of the Australian National Anthem.
Rev Dr Alan Russell reflected on the passing of Major-General Sandy Pearson AO, DSO, OBE, MC (Retd) during the year.
At the conclusion of the Service the Queen’s and Regimental Colours of the First Battalion were returned to the Colour Party of the RNSWR and the First Battalion Flag and Australian flags were returned.
Photo: At the conclusion of the Service the Queen’s and Regimental Colours of the First Battalion were returned to the Colour Party of the RNSWR by Rev. Russell
Following the Service, there was an opportunity to reflect on the memory of those who lost their lives at Pozieres on 23 July 1916. On display was the photo of an unidentified Digger who members of the Congregation seek to be able to reunite with his relatives. 
Photo: The Soldier on the Wall
Lest We Forget
Half of the Diggers from Pheasant Wood have been named.
The graves of 124 of the 250 soldiers whose remains were recovered from the communal pits near Pheasant Wood, Fromelles in French Flanders and were reburied with full military honours in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery in 2010 are now identified with their names. The names of another 98 Australian soldiers buried by the German Reserve Bavarian Infantry Regiment soldiers following the Battle of Fromelles on the night of 19th July, 1916 and continuing into the 20th are known, but identifying which soldier is in which grave remains the challenge that can only be solved now by matching the soldier’s DNA with that of a descendant. Of the remaining 1,111 Australian soldiers killed in the Battle of Fromelles with no known grave (1,333 Australian soldiers with no known grave less 222 known to have been buried near Pheasant Wood) , a further 28 soldiers are buried in the Cemetery, but their identity is not known.
The Fromelles Identification Board in April announced the names of 5 Australian soldiers who will have their names inscribed on individual headstones. The soldiers are:
Private Thomas William Francis (2584), 29th Battalion
Private William O’Donnell (319), 29th Battalion
Private Thomas Henry Bills (605), 31st Battalion
Private John Gordon McKenzie (151), 32nd Battalion
Private William Barber (346), 32nd Battalion
Read the media reports:
Fromelles Diggers Identified
Five more Fromelles WW1 dead identified
More Aussie Soldiers from Battle of Fromelles Identified
The graves of these recently identified soldiers were re-dedicated with named headstones at the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery commemoration service on 19 July 2013.
Click here for a list of the names of the 124 soldiers identified so far.
Follow the link to see a list of the names of the 222 Australian soldiers known to be buried in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery –Fromelles Extended Working List by Name .
This list is only the beginning of the story of these men who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Countless hours of research by dedicated volunteers has brought the stories behind these Diggers to life again.
Nine Network’s Sixty Minutes Program featured interviews with FFFAIF members Tim Lycett and Sandra Playle, screened on 7 June 2013 in the segment Known Unto God. Extended interviews can be seen by clicking here.
Fromelles The Final Chapters by FFFAIF members Tim Lycett and Sandra Playle is now available in book shops.
The book will be launched by two other members – Lambis Englezos AM, and Annette Tebb – in Melbourne on Saturday 27th July.
Please click here to see the launch invitation in more detail.
*****
Anyone who believes that they are related to one of the Australian soldiers who are still missing from the Battle of Fromelles are asked to register their details with Unrecovered War Casualties – Army via the online registration tool at www.army.gov.au/uwca or by calling toll-free in Australia on 1800 019 090(9am to 5pm Monday to Friday) .
Members and their guests are invited to
The John Laffin Memorial Lecture
Sunday, 7 July 2013
Speakers:
Michele Bomford:
Beaten Down by Blood: The Battle of Mont St. Quentin–Peronne 1918.
and
Graham Wilson:
Australian Railway Units of the AIF during The Great War.
10:00 am for 10:30 am start
at
Randwick Barracks Function Centre
(Building 101)
Avoca Street entrance opposite Araluen Street, Randwick.
Attendees should bring photo identification e.g. licence or passport.
On-site car parking is available.
Entry: $10 per head for morning tea, a light lunch and afternoon tea.
Security: Admission to Department of Defence site will only be granted to those people with names on the RSVP list and with photo identification.
RSVP by Friday, 28 June
to secretary@FFFAIF.org.au
or
phone or message the FFFAIF on
0401 467 819.
In Ieper Belgium, on 4 June 2013 FFFAIF member Johan Durnez was presented with his Order of Australia Medal by Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Patron in Chief of the Families and Friends of the First AIF.
Photo: Johan Durnez OAM [www.gg.gov.au/events]
Joahn received his award for service to Australian-Belgian relations, particularly his contribution to promoting the role played by Australians during World War I in Belgium.
For further details on the ceremony visit the Governor General of Australia’s website by clicking here and scrolling down to 4 June.
Johan was interviewed on the ABC Radio’s program AM. To here this interview click here.
Congratulations Johan from the Families and Fiends of the First AIF.
Meeting of the Fromelles Association
The Fromelles Association will be holding their annual meeting on 20 July 2013 at the Wallsend Diggers Club, Tyrrell Street, Wallsend, NSW, between 10am and 4pm.
The meeting is in the form of a workshop involving presentations on the topics of:
• the 54th Battalion (Ross St Claire)
• the use of DNA to identify soldiers’ remains (Danielle Bond)
• genealogical research to find the relatives of deceased soldiers (Heather Ling)
• profiles of four of the missing of Fromelles (descendants).
Enquiries and RSVP to Royce Atkinson at royceatkinson@hotmail.com or 02 4975 3563 by 1 July 2013.
Are you interested in finding out about attending the centenary celebrations at Gallipoli on 25th April 2015?
The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Centenary of Anzac Warren Snowdon provided the following information on 13 May 2013:
“A ballot is the fairest and most transparent approach to the allocation of attendance passes for the centenary commemorations at Gallipoli, within previously agreed and announced capacity of 10,500 places at the Anzac Commemorative Site,” Mr Snowdon said.
“My New Zealand counterpart, the Hon Michael Woodhouse, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, has made a similar announcement today.”
Following the agreement of the Turkish Government, the Government had previously announced that the places will be shared between Australian and NZ (8,000 Australians, 2,000 New Zealanders) and up to 500 places have been set aside for official representatives and guests, including representatives of all countries that served in the Gallipoli campaign.
Mr Snowdon said the Government had carefully considered options for the ballot, drawing on feedback received from members of the public, the veteran and Defence communities and tour operators as part of a public consultation undertaken in 2012.
Some of the places available to Australians will be reserved for special representatives including:
· Widows of Australian First World War veterans – they do not need to participate in the ballot and will be included as part of Australia ’s official representatives, with a companion, if fit to travel.
· Five per cent of places allocated in the ballot will be reserved for Australian direct descendants of veterans of the Gallipoli campaign – with preference being given to the sons and daughters of Gallipoli veterans.
· Five per cent of places in the ballot will be reserved for veterans who have qualifying service or who have deployed on any operations outside Australia , whether they are warlike, non-warlike or peacetime operations.
· Five per cent of places will be set aside outside the ballot process for representative secondary school children and their chaperones, to be allocated and managed through the states and territories.
The remaining places (3,000 double passes) will be available for all Australians. The following criteria will apply to the ballot:
· Applicants must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia to register, but do not need to be living in Australia at the time of registration.
· Applicants must be a minimum of 18 years of age on, or before, 25 April 2015 to register.
· Applicants can only register once.
· All passes will be issued as double passes – the accompanying pass holder does not need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia .
· No additional passes will be provided to an individual that is successful in the ballot.
· Pass holders must make all arrangements for their travel and cover all costs including flights, accommodation, transport and travel insurance etc.
“The ballot is expected to be open for registrations on 1 November 2013 and close on 31 January 2014. Details on how to register will be available later in the year following the engagement of a provider to conduct the ballot,” Mr Snowdon said.
“Advice will be provided to individuals on the ballot outcome in March 2014, to ensure those successful have enough time to organise and pay for their trip. This will also allow tour operators to make specific arrangements with those travellers who have secured passed for the Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli.”
The Turkish Government has entrusted the Australian and New Zealand Governments to manage the events on 25 April 2015 which include the Dawn Service and subsequent services at Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair. Both governments wish to express their gratitude to the Turkish Government for the level of support that it has provided, and its commitment to the events associated with the Centenary of Anzac.
“The Gallipoli campaign lasted eight months from April to December 1915, and I encourage those who are thinking about applying for the ballot, and may not be eligible for a special representative place, to consider whether they want to visit Gallipoli at another time in 2015,” he said.
For more information on ballot arrangements visit www.gallipoli2015.dva.gov.au
A host of activities and initiatives at a domestic and international level will occur from 2014 to 2018 to commemorate the Centenary of Australia’s involvement in the First World War. For more information visit www.anzaccentenary.gov.au
Gallipoli 2015 ballot arrangements
Key dates for ballot
| Step | Activity | Date |
| 1 | Announcement of ballot details | 13 May 2013 |
| 2 | Procurement process of ballot and ticketing provider | May – July 2013 |
| 3 | Ballot system development, testing and audit | 1 August – 30 October 2013 |
| 4 | Registration for ballot opens (Registration available online, via telephone and other method) | 1 November 2013 |
| 5 | Registration for ballot closes | 31 January 2014 |
| 6 | Finalisation of administrative details and running of ballot | 1 – 28 February 2014 |
| 7 | Advice sent to applicants | 1 – 30 March 2014 |
| 8 | Passport details to be registered and confirmation that all pass holders will attend the commemorations | 1 May – 30 November 2014 |
Ballot System Cascade
All passes will be allocated as double passes. No additional passes will be provided to any individual that is successful in the ballot. The ballot will operate in four cascades (noting that 400 youth passes will be distributed outside of the ballot process):
| Cascade | Inclusion in ballot | Outcome | Unsuccessful applicants |
|
1st |
Applicants who have indicated “Direct Descendent” with preference to first generation – sons and daughters | 400 double passes allocated (total 800 pax) | Those who have also indicated “Veteran” go to 2nd cascade. Those who haven’t go to 3rd cascade |
|
2nd |
Applicants who have indicated “Veteran” | 400 double passes allocated (total 800 pax) | Go to 3rd cascade |
|
3rd |
Applicants who haven’t indicated either “Direct Descendent” or “Veteran” (i.e. the Australian public), plus unsuccessful applicants from 1st & 2nd cascades | 3,000 double passes (total 6,000 pax) | Those who have indicated willingness to be placed on a wait list go to 4th cascade. Those who haven’t are out of the ballot |
|
4th |
Applicants who have indicated willingness to be placed on a wait list | Establish a priority order for allocating passes as they become available |
