At the unveiling of the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux in 1938
Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France
The Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux contains the names of over 10,000 Australians who died in France during WWI and have no known grave.
The Memorial consists of a large central tower flanked by two wing walls carrying the commemorative panels listing the missing.
The Memorial was only completed in 1938, delayed by the Great Depression. During WWII the Memorial was extensively damaged and repairs were subsequently carried out.
The Memorial is situated a few kilometres north of Villers-Bretonneux on the D23.
A further 1 294 Australians with no known grave are commemorated at VC Corner Cemetery at Fromelles. Seventeen missing from the Australian Flying Corps are listed on the Arras Flying Services Memorial in the Faubourg d’Amiens Cemetery at Arras.
See the memorials in historical perspective:
See further:
- Australian National Memorial, Commonwealth War Graves Commision website
- Memorials to the Missing
- Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneu, Commonwealth War Graves Commision cemetery details
Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux with the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery in the foreground
The band stands ready at a recent awards ceremony held at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux