ANZAC Day in Gallipoli & France

Posted on 15/04/2012 by FFFAIF

Are you planning to be in Gallipoli or France for Anzac Day?

STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR ANZAC DAY IN GALLIPOLI & FRANCE 

Ahead of Anzac Day 2012, Secretary for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Mr Ian Campbell encouraged Australians travelling to Gallipoli or France commemorations to register at www.gallipoliregistration.com or www.franceregistration.com to ensure they come prepared.
Mr Campbell said on average up to 10,000 people travel to Gallipoli, Turkey each year and more than 4,000 travel to Villers-Bretonneux, France to attend Anzac Day commemorations.
“For many Australians, following in the footsteps of relatives who have served and died on the battlefields of the Gallipoli Peninsula or the Western Front during the First World War is the trip of a lifetime but it is important they come prepared,” he said.
“Information services are available for Australians travelling to Gallipoli and France. Each service provides travellers with helpful tips on what to bring and what to expect over the 2012 commemorative period.
“At Gallipoli, visitors are exposed to the elements for up to 24-hours so hints on what to bring and what to wear are essential to ensure they are comfortable for the duration of the commemorations.
“In Villers-Bretonneux, road closures are in place 5 pm 24 April – 9 am 25 April and visitors will receive tips on traffic arrangements for the Dawn Service and later community services.”
Mr Campbell said the registration service was not mandatory nor was it a ticketing system for the commemorations – but a way for travellers to stay informed of important updates.
“I encourage Australians planning to travel to Gallipoli or Villers-Bretonneux for Anzac Day in 2012 to register their interest to ensure they make the most of their experience,” he said.
Registration is optional and people can still attend the commemorations in Gallipoli and France if they have not registered.  Registration does not provide reserved seating. Updates are provided via text message and/or email.
Visitors are also encouraged to register at www.smartraveller.gov.au, read the travel advisories for the countries they are visiting and have comprehensive travel insurance.
For more information about Anzac Day commemorations in France or Gallipoli visit www.dva.gov.au/anzac

Anzac – Gallipoli Day Services are also being held throughout the UK. For details of services click here.

*****

If you have always dreamt of visiting the hallowed ground in the footsteps of the Diggers of the Great War, we can get you there! There are still places available on the 2012 FFFAIF Commemorative Tour. Book now and join the unforgettable experience. Contact secretary@fffaif.org.au today for further details.

Posted in ANZAC Day | Comments Off on ANZAC Day in Gallipoli & France

Ross McMullin’s new book

Posted on 15/04/2012 by FFFAIF

FFFAIF member Ross McMullin has added another interesting publication to his every  list of books: Farewell, Dear People – biographies of Australia’s lost generation.

Publisher Scribes Publications described the book as:
For Australia, a new nation with a relatively small population, the death of 60,000 soldiers during World War I was catastrophic. It is hardly surprising, then, that Australians evaluating the consequences of the conflict have tended to focus primarily on the numbing number of losses — on the sheer quantity of all those countrymen who did not return.
That there must have been extraordinary individuals among them has been implicitly understood, but these special Australians are unknown today. This book seeks to retrieve their stories and to fill the gaps in our collective memory.
Farewell, Dear People contains ten extended biographies of young men who exemplified Australia’s gifted lost generation of World War I.
Among them are accounts of an internationally acclaimed medical researcher; a military officer described by his brigadier as potentially an Australian Kitchener; a rugby international who became an esteemed administrator and a rising Labor star; an engineer who excelled on Mawson’s Antarctic mission; a visionary vigneron and community leader who was renowned for successful winemaking at an unusually young age; a Western Australian Rhodes scholar assured of a shining future in the law and/or politics; a Tasmanian footballer who dazzled at the highest level; and a budding architect from Melbourne’s best-known creative dynasty who combined an endearing personality with his family’s flair for writing and drawing.
This magisterial book tells their stories for the first time. In doing so, it enriches the story of Australia immeasurably.

RRP: $45

Farewell, Dear People – biographies of Australia’s lost generation will be launched by Bruce Scates at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne on Wednesday 18 April, at 6.30pm. Contact The Shrine for more details.

*****

If you have always dreamt of visiting the hallowed ground in the footsteps of the Diggers of the Great War, we can get you there! There are still places available on the 2012 FFFAIF Commemorative Tour. Book now and join the unforgettable experience. Contact secretary@fffaif.org.au today for further details. 

Posted in Books, Events, The Shrine | Comments Off on Ross McMullin’s new book

9 Fromelles Diggers named

Posted on 30/03/2012 by FFFAIF

DNA tests have identified nine more soldiers killed in the Battle of Fromelles on 19th July, 1916. The graves of these soldiers will now be given their identity in the Pheasant Wood, Fromelles Cemetery.

Their names are:
Private Leonard Broadhurst (3013) , Sydney, 55th Battalion.
Private Robert Carrington Forland (4779), Lithgow, 53rd Battalion.
Private John Robertson Forrest (3046), Liverpool, 54th Battalion.

Photo: Private John (Jack) Forrest (3046)
[Forrest Family Collection]

 Private John Joseph Goulding (555), Brisbane, 31st Battalion.

Photo: Private John Joseph Goulding (555)
Australian War Memorial DA11519

Private William Alexander Jamieson (2144), Cootamundra, 31st Battalion.
Private Arthur Joseph Johnson (2203), Melbourne, 29th Battalion.
Private Claude Ward (2184), Newcastle, 30th Battalion.

Photo: Private Claude Ward (2184) wearing cadet uniform.
Australian War Memorial PO3018.001

Private John Cyril Wynn (2485), West Maitland, 30th Battalion.
Corporal Alfred George Tuck (1252), Melbourne, 29th Battalion.

Photo: Corporal Alfred George Tuck (1252)
[Tuck Family Collection]

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon announced the results of the Identification Board which convened in London on 23 March, 2012. Click here to read the Minister’s announcement.

Read the media reports:
The Daily Telegraph
The Melbourne Age
NEWS.com.au
The Sydney Morning Herald
SBS World News
The Canberra Times
The Maitland Mercury

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) .

*****

If you have always dreamt of visiting the hallowed ground in the footsteps of the Diggers of the Great War, we can get you there! There are still places available on the 2012 FFFAIF Commemorative Tour. Book now and join the unforgettable experience. Contact secretary@fffaif.org.au today for further details.

Posted in Diggers of First AIF, Fromelles, Members First AIF | Comments Off on 9 Fromelles Diggers named

VALE – Ivan Sinnaeve

Posted on 13/03/2012 by FFFAIF

Ivan Sinnaeve
‘Shrapnel Charlie’

On behalf of the committee and members of Families and Friends of the First AIF, I express condolences to Marie Claire Sinnaeve, her family and friends on the loss of her dear husband, Ivan, at the age of 58 years.

Ivan passed away on Tuesday 13 March 2012. He had been in poor health for considerable time and although he fought every inch of the way, never managed to recover after surgery in February.

Marie Claire wishes to thank all who sent cards and letters of support during Ivan’s illness. She said it was really heart warming and encouraging to receive such a large volume of mail which helped them through the hard weeks of post-surgery attendance. Knowing they were not alone and that a lot of people were thinking of them really helped.

Ivan’s loss to the wider community is considerable and those of us who were privileged to meet him and be presented with a soldier, will never forget his warm friendship and generous disposition.

We can celebrate that Ivan came close to achieving the fifty-five thousand ‘soldiers’ he set out to make; one for each name on the Menin Gate. The soldiers he moulded were made with the lead from World War I shrapnel shells found on the former battlefields of the Ypres Salient in Belgium.

The card that accompanied each soldier states:
“The lead that once killed soldiers is now moulded into new soldiers who can travel back to their home countries to tell people never to forget what happened here in the past and to bring a message of peace” – this is the motivation of Ivan ‘Shrapnel Charlie’ Sinnaeve, the man who created these figures.

Our thoughts at this sad time are with Marie Claire and her family, their friends and members of the ‘extended families’ of World War I soldiers who were touched by Ivan’s sentiment. He embodied the true spirit that Kept The Memory Alive and will be sadly missed.

May he Rest in Peace.

Russell Curley
President
Families and Friends of the First AIF.

FFFAIF member Johan Durnez has sent news of Ivan’s death. Here is Johan’s message  Ivan ‘Shrapnel Charlie’ Sinnaeve 1953-2012.

The funeral service will be held in the Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist, Brugseweg, Ieper (Sint-Jan), on Tuesday 20 March 2012 at 10 am.

 

Posted in Commemorations, Ieper/Ypres | Comments Off on VALE – Ivan Sinnaeve

VALE – Jean Letaille AM

Posted on 11/03/2012 by FFFAIF

 Jean Letaille AM

On behalf of the committee and members of Families and Friends of the First AIF I express condolences to the family and friends on the sudden passing of Jean Letaille.

We are informed that Jean passed away on Saturday, 10 March 2012. He had been in poor health for considerable time but his sudden death came as a shock to us all.

A former Mayor of Bullecourt, Jean and his late wife, Denise, were pillars of the Bullecourt community. Over decades, Jean had unearthed and collected machinery, weapons and other artefacts from the First World War battlefields around the area and displayed them, initially in the town hall and afterwards, as the collection outgrew that accommodation, in buildings on his property.

A visit to the ‘barn’ or the museum was a ‘must’ on any Aussie’s pilgrimage to that part of the Western Front and Jean and Denise were perfect hosts. They have generated many fond memories for hundreds, if not thousands, over the years.
In addition to the museum, his contribution to Digger Heritage through the donation of land for the Memorial Park where the ‘Young Digger’ stands, his involvement in the construction of the ‘Slouch Hat’ Memorial and the private ‘Cross’ Memorial on the Bullecourt battlefield, his participation in countless memorial services and the assistance he provided to battlefield pilgrims is immeasurable.

Both Jean and Denise Letaille were appointed Members of the Order of Australia in 1997 for service to Australian-French relations.

Jean’s loss to the Bullecourt community is considerable and he leaves, as a major part of his legacy, a newly refurbished museum which is due to open its doors for the first time on Anzac Day this year. It’s sad that he will not be there to see his collection open to the public once more.

Photo: Jean Letaille proudly shows the plans of the new Bullecourt Musem to a member of the FFFAIF’s Tour group in 2010.

Our thoughts at this sad time are with Jean’s family, his friends and members of the Bullecourt Museum Association who worked closely with Jean and the Australian Government on the museum’s re-development as part of the Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front.


Photo: Jean Letaille, July 2011.

He has joined his beloved Denise. May they Rest in Peace.

Russell Curley
President
Families and Friends of the First AIF.

 

Posted in Bullecourt, Commemorations | Comments Off on VALE – Jean Letaille AM

Fromelles ID Board Reconvenes

Posted on 03/03/2012 by FFFAIF

On the 23 March 2012 the third annual United Kingdom and Australian Joint Identification Board will convene in London in an effort to formally identify some of the remaining 140 unknown soldiers who are buried in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) states that: The outcomes of the Board will be made public in the days following the Board and the headstones of those identified soldiers will be changed in accordance with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s long standing procedures.

 Private Downie Dodd, No4770, is one of the missing of the Battle of Fromelles. His family hopes that he will be identified when the Board convenes. Downie’s great niece tells the story behind their expectations.

‘My great uncle Downie Dodd came to Australia with his parents and three of his 4 brothers, James, Robert (my grandfather) and William – his other brother Harry emigrated to Canada just before WW1.
Downie enlisted along with his brother James in 1915.  He was sent to France and the “big show” he wrote about in his final letter home was to be Fromelles his first action.  We had always known that Downie was killed at Fromelles as we have a copy of a German Death Voucher obtained by the Red Cross where his name appears.
When the mass grave was discovered I followed the developments and had great hopes that Downie would be among those discovered and my hopes were raised when Downie’s name appeared on the list of those found.  You would think that with so many brothers it would be an easy task to find suitable DNA for testing but this was not the case as unfortunately too many girls had been born into the family, I thought that this was the end of the line.
I travelled to the Fromelles Internment Ceremony in 2010 with my cousin and his daughter.  We were pleased and comforted to know that Downie now had a final resting place.
Last year I came across the Rootschat web site where a man who is an amateur historian had posted a message mentioning Downie.  After I contacted him he took up our case and along with a researcher in Scotland searched records in the UK.  I am so grateful to both of them for the amazing work that they did for a stranger on the other side of the world.
With all their work and with the help of inscriptions on the back of photos here in Sydney eventually a distant cousin from Downie’s mother’s side of the family was located.  He agreed to provide DNA for testing and so now all we can do is wait for the results from the Joint Identification Board meeting and hope that Downie can now at last be named as one of the found’.

A message from the CWGC:
Anyone who believes that they are related to one of the Australian soldiers 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) .

*****

If you have always dreamt of visiting the hallowed ground in the footsteps of the Diggers of the Great War, we can get you there! There are still places available on the 2012 FFFAIF Commemorative Tour. Book now and join the unforgettable experience. Contact secretary@fffaif.org.au today for further details. 

Posted in Diggers of First AIF, Events, Fromelles | Comments Off on Fromelles ID Board Reconvenes

Visiting the WF?

Posted on 03/03/2012 by FFFAIF

Next time you visit the Western Front be sure to pick up one of these useful brochures:

“Welcome to the Western Front” (Flanders & Picardy) contains information on accommodation, places to eat, special offers as well as places to visit. The brochure is available from locations in Belgium and France, including: Ieper Information Centre;

FFFAIF members please see Updates page in the Members’ Area for extra information.

*****

If you have always dreamt of visiting the hallowed ground in the footsteps of the Diggers of the Great War, we can get you there! There are still places available on the 2012 FFFAIF Commemorative Tour. Book now and join the unforgettable experience. Contact secretary@fffaif.org.au today for further details.

Posted in Tips | Comments Off on Visiting the WF?

AWM Plaques unveiled

Posted on 29/02/2012 by FFFAIF

Members of the FFFAIF were present at the Australian War Memorial on Tuesday 14 February for the dedication of commemorative plaques for the 2nd, 13th, 34th and 54th Australian Infantry Battalions. FFFAIF member and author of Our Gift to the Empire 54th Australian Infantry Battalion Ross St Claire had the honour of unveiling the plaque for the 54th Battalion.

The event was presided over by AWM staff including Acting Director Nola Anderson, and an audience of around 100 people heard speakers including Major Robert Kear (Ret’d) (President, Friends of the 2nd Battalion), Barney Moore (2/2nd Battalion Veteran) and Lieutenant Colonel Laurie Kelly AM RFD ED (Ret’d).

The four plaques were dedicated by Chaplain Catie Inches-Odgen (Staff Chaplain Army Headquarters).The Last Post and the Rouse were played by bugler Corporal Matthew Creek (band of theRoyal Military College Duntroon). Both of whom participated in the dedication of the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery on 19 July 2010.

The plaques will be laid in their permanent position in the Memorial’s Sculpture Garden which is located to west of the main building. This garden has been designed to provide a place for quiet contemplation of the sacrifice of the many Australians who have died in war.

The photos in this report were kindly provided by FFFAIF member Robyn Ward.
For more photos of the occasion visit the Australian War Memorial flickr uploads by clicking here.

*****

If you have always dreamt of visiting the hallowed ground in the footsteps of the Diggers of the Great War, we can get you there! There are still places available on the 2012 FFFAIF Commemorative Tour. Book now and join the unforgettable experience. Contact secretary@fffaif.org.au today for further details.

 

Posted in Australian War Memorial, Commemorations, Events, Memorials | Comments Off on AWM Plaques unveiled

Memberships Available

Posted on 06/02/2012 by FFFAIF

Are you interested in becoming a member of the Families and Friends of the First AIF?

It’s a simple process and brings with it many benefits including:

  • Annual subscription to our quarterly magazine: DIGGER
  • Access to a network of like-minded members who wish to “Keep The Memory Alive” and are prepared to share their knowledge and resources and assist with research.
  • Participation in member events including: John Laffin Memorial Lecture Day (held in Sydney in July). Guest speakers on WWI topics or WWI-related current issues; regional meetings with speakers on various topics related to WWI; excursions arranged to WWI related venues such as the AWM art collection and Victoria Barracks; Commemorative Tours. The next FFFAIF members’ tour is planned for July 2012 and will travel to the Western Front and Gallipoli. There are still vacancies available on this tour which will spend 14 days on the Western Front starting in Ieper, Belgium on 14th July. Price for the Western Front Tour is $3,200 and includes all land based travel, accommodation, all breakfasts, a number of special lunches and dinners, battlefield touring on luxury coach, local and English speaking guides and tour ‘goody bag’. Operating in conjunction with the Western Front Tour is the Gallipoli Commemorative Tour (Extension). This tour is 13 nights and visits all battlefields of the Gallipoli Campaign, with Australian and local Turkish Historians and battlefield guides. Price for the Gallipoli Extension Tour is $1,790. The tour costs includes all accommodation (Gallipoli and Istanbul), coach travel, all breakfasts, most meals, battlefield guides and tour diary (excluding airfares). For further tour details click here.
  • Access to FFFAIF merchandise and other products at discounted prices. This includes the “Poppy umbrella” or Rembrella, AMHP publications, Regimental Books and publications by FFFAIF members. Membership application forms are available on line.

Click here to download an application and help to Keep The Memory Alive of the Diggers of the First AIF.

Posted in 2012 Commemorative Tour, Members' Announcements | Comments Off on Memberships Available

2012 Commemorative Tour

Posted on 06/02/2012 by FFFAIF

There are still places available on the 2012 FFFAIF Members’ Western Front and Gallipoli Commemorative Tours.

If you have always dreamt of visiting the hallowed ground in the footsteps of the Diggers of the Great War, we can get you there!

Join like minded people on our 14 day Western Front Commemorative Tour, which visits all the major Australian and other battlefields in Belgium and France. Our main battle ground focus this year is Fromelles, Bullecourt, Pozieres/Mouquet Farm and Passchendaele/Broodseinde Ridge, but smaller engagements will be explored.

Our tour starts in Ieper, Belgium on the 14th July 2012. Price for the Western Front Tour is $3,200 and includes all land based travel, accommodation, all breakfasts, a number of special lunches and dinners, battlefield touring on luxury coach, local and English speaking guides and tour ‘goody bag’ (excluding air fares).

As Families and Friends of the First AIF, our main focus is that of the men and women who served and in many cases died during the Great War. Our historians and researchers will be with us on the ground to offer extensive specialised information and knowledge.

In addition, we will have the opportunity to meet and greet European FFFAIF Members and visit the new Bullecourt Museum, village of Vignacourt – home to the ‘Lost Diggers’ and attend the commemorations at Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery on the 19th July.

Special Requests and commemorations: The FFFAIF Commemorative Tours have the flexibility to streamline the journey to suit the participating members. Every effort is made to incorporate ‘special requests’ and many personal commemorations are included during visits to cemeteries and battlefield locations.

For those who would like to extend their holiday or travels, we also have a Gallipoli Commemorative Tour (Extension), departing 3rd July 2012. This tour is 13 nights and visits all battlefields of the Gallipoli Campaign, with Australian and local Turkish Historians and battlefield guides.

Price for the Gallipoli Extension Tour is $1,790. The tour costs includes all accommodation (Gallipoli and Istanbul), coach travel, all breakfasts, most meals, battlefield guides and tour diary (excluding airfares). This tour must be booked in conjunction with Western Front Commemorative Tour.

For further Tour details please contact secretary@fffaif.org.au

 

Posted in 2012 Commemorative Tour, Events, Members' Announcements, Uncategorized | Comments Off on 2012 Commemorative Tour