memorials

AUSTRALIAN CORPS MEMORIAL PARK,
LE HAMEL, FRANCE

This last year has been a quieter year on the Western Front!

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), on behalf of OAWG, continues to supervise the maintenance of this area to a high standard although their efforts are at times hampered, regretfully, by ongoing vandalism. However this year has seen OAWG put several processes in place to assist in minimising the effect of any further vandalism.

The most important of these is a car-park barrier, finally installed in December. The Mayor of Le Hamel has organised the opening and closing of this barrier at the appropriate times and it is hoped that by removing access to the Memorial Park after dark it will greatly reduce the vandalism.

In addition a shipment of the Australian black granite tiles used to construct the main walls of the memorial is now safely stored with the CWGC at Beaurains, France (the office that coordinates maintenance) to be used for future repairs. There were some difficulties experienced during the freighting process but they arrived with very minimal damage considering the somewhat fragile nature of the tiles. There is also a stored supply of automatic switches, needed for the audio information, that will allow for immediate replacement if any are damaged.

An extensive search in Europe was unable to source an appropriately effective product for the in-painting of the bas-relief and letters to improve visibility in wet weather. After much consultation it was decided to use a product sourced in Australia and then sea-freighted to France. Once in France the product will be stored in Beaurains until weather permits the in-painting to be completed.

The memorial also received several distinguished visitors this year, in particular Sir William Deane. Upon his retirement from the office of Governor General of Australia he was able to undertake some travel of personal interest which included a visit to the Australian Corps Memorial Park, Le Hamel. Sir William and Lady Deane visited Le Hamel on 4 June 2002. They were met by the CWGC Director of the Outer Area, Mr Tim Reeves, who accompanied them on their visit. Sir William spent some time at the site and was particularly taken with the memorial and its surrounds.

The Director CWGC has since advised that the memorial at Le Hamel was in good order, as was the picnic area. All the glass information panels were legible although one (number 4 was cracked). The two buttons on the audio panel (number 2) were missing but the CWGC has spares and these will be replaced. The audio system was undamaged. All the regimental badges were in good condition. Flags and flagpoles present and correct. In short all is clean and tidy, ready for the summer season.

	Lawn mowing, Australian Corps Memorial Park, Le Hamel

Today, actually this very minute I have received photographs taken of the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial by some kind person. Whomever took the pictures, I and my rellies will be very pleased, especially my mum and her sister, plus a couple of other rellies who luckily will see them before they exit this earth as they’re all getting quite old now. I’m very thankful for the effort and I thank you very much.

Just a note to congratulate you and your government in having the foresight to set up such wonderful memorials in the World War I battlefields of Northern France. Whilst visiting the area during the northern summer my partner and I were very impressed at the various educational memorials and particularly with the splendid state of the graves and cemeteries.