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| Australian National Memorial Villers-Bretonneux Cemetery |
The Australian National Memorial located at Villers-Bretonneux commemorates all Australian soldiers who fought in France and Belgium during the First World War. It stands within the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery.
Villers-Bretonneux was the point that the Germans reached during their 1918 German Spring Offensive on the Somme, Operation Michael, capturing the village on the 23rd April. The village was re-captured the following day by the Australian 4th and 5th Divisions. It was from Villers-Bretonneux that the Australian 2nd and 5th divisions advanced at the start of the 100 Day Offensive leading to the ultimate defeat of Germany.
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| Australian National Memorial |
The memorial and the cemetery in which it stands was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. |
Australian National Memorial
Sir Edwin Lutyens Design
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Approval for construction was obtained form the French government in 1929, however as a result of the Great Depression construction did not commence until 1936.
It was unveiled on 22 July 1938 by King George VI and Queen Elizebeth.
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Australian National Memorial Unveiling 22-July-1938
King George VI and Queen Elizebeth
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| Australian National Memorial Unveiling 22-July-1938 |
The memorial consists of a tower surrounded by walls and panels on which the names of the missing are listed.
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| Australian National Memorial Tower and Walls |
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| Australian National Memorial Tower Entrance and Walls |
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Australian National Memorial
Somme - Pozieres Wall |
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Australian National Memorial view from Tower
Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery
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Australian National Memorial view from Tower IJ
Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery |
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| Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery |
------o------
HE DIED AN AUSTRALIAN HERO THE GREATEST DEATH OF ALL
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Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery
Lt Harold Sherrat Cunningham |
Lieutenant Harold Sherrat Cunningham
47th Battalion Canadian Infantry
Attached Royal Airforce
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Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery
QM Sergeant JS Hay |
Quartermaster Sergeant John Stuart Hay
D Battery 298 Brigade
Royal Field Artillery
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Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery
Gunner CF St Clair |
Gunner Christopher Fenwick St Clair14 Brigade Australian Field Artillery
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Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery
Gunner WG Reynolds |
Driver William George Reynolds
14 Brigade Australian Field Artillery
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Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery
Gunner MG Ball |
Gunner Melville Gordon Ball
2nd Trench Mortar Battery
Canadian Field Artillery
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