Mar 20, 2012 - The French Connection

The gambling crowd moves closer and screams out in anticipation as the coins spin high in the air before landing. Arms go up and they cheer at the result before another round frantically begins. This is “two-up” being played on ANZAC day in the northern French town of Villers-Bretonneux. The atmosphere is buzzing. Men and women are gathered outside Le Forum Cafe drinking beer, playing two-up, kicking footballs, cheering and laughing. We squeeze past and continue to the bar to order a couple of Australian beers. Green and gold ribbons line...

Nov 14, 2010 - Villers-Bretonneux

The Australian National War Memorial A 32m tower engraved with the names of 10,982 soldiers who went missing in action, stands on a hill where Australian and British troops repulsed a German assault on 24 April 1918. It was dedicated in 1938; two years later its stone walls were scarred by the guns of Hitler's invading armies. The memorial stands on a rise known as "Hill 104", which became prominent in Australian military history when it was secured during the recapture of Villers-Bretonneux on 24-25 April 1918. Thereafter it became part of...

May 17, 2010 - Villers-Bretonneux (Nth France)

Hey all, . After three days in Paris, we jumped in a hire car and headed north. . First stop, the village of Villers-Bretonneux in the Somme Region in search of a WWI Mounument upon which my Great Grandfather's (Edmund Charles SLOGGETT) name is recorded. Australian WWI records indicate he was killed in the Somme Region (age 22) on 5 August, 1916, however his body was never found. He joined the army on 13 August, 1915 and was killed just under a year later. As nana (my dad's mum) was only a baby when he left, she did not know her...

Apr 25, 2010 - Sun 25 - ANZAC Day

In Flanders Fields It’s very difficult to find the words that will adequately convey all that today encompassed. As an Australian, and without trying to glorify war in any way, to walk the battlefields of France and Belgium, and to visit the sites where so many of my grandfather’s generation gave their lives, is one of the most incredible but sobering things I have ever done. Travelling to Villers Bretonneux, site of the Australian National Memorial, I wondered what emotions I might experience. The Dawn service at any time, anywhere, has a...

Mar 27, 2008 - Villers-Bretonneux

On the way to Paris we stopped off at Villers-Bretonneux, Australia's other "Gallipoli". There is a big memorial planned for ANZAC day to contemorated the 90th anniversary of the battle, but we thought we would beat the crowds. In the First World War, on 24 April 1918, the village of Villers-Bretonneux was the site of the world's first battle between two tank forces: three British Mark IVs against three German A7Vs. Neither side won, but the next day the village was liberated by the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at a cost...