Northumbrian Gunner: Somme 2023 - Australian National Memorial Villers-Bretonneux

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.

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

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.

Australian National Memorial Unveiling 22-July-1938
King George VI and Queen Elizebeth

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.

Villers-Bretonneux Memorial | CWGC

Australian National Memorial Tower and Walls

Australian National Memorial Tower Entrance and Walls

Australian National Memorial
Somme - Pozieres Wall

Australian National Memorial view from Tower
Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery

Australian National Memorial view from Tower IJ
Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery

Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery

The Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery was made after the Armistice in 1918 as a concentration from burial grounds around the battlefields.

Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery | CWGC

The cemetery contains 2,146 casualties from World War One, of which 609 are unidentified. There are also two New Zealand airmen buried there who were lost during World War Two.