Australian Corps Memorial Park, Le Hamel

The Memorial Park contains a walking track past a series of interpretive panels as well as a large central commemorative wall.

Le Hamel is a small village south of the Somme River some 6km from Villers-Bretonneux and was the site of one of the AIF’s most successful battles, fought on 4 July 1918. Entirely under Australian planning and the command of General Sir John Monash, this victory reflected the pattern for successful Allied operations for the remainder of the war on the Western Front.

The remains of the trench located at the Park were the final objective for the attack on 4 July 1918 and formed part of the start line for the major Allied offensive on 8 August 1918, leading to the Armistice on 11 November 1918.

Due to the original construction methods proving to be unsatisfactory, extreme climatic conditions in northern France and vandalism, it became necessary to redevelop the Memorial Park. The Government provided funding in the 2006/07 Budget for the redevelopment. After an extensive consultation period, reconstruction commenced in March 2008 and was completed by August 2008.

The Park was rededicated by the Governor-General on Saturday, 8 November 2008 in the presence of the Minister, the Australian Ambassador to France, the Secretary of DVA, senior French Government officials, local and regional authority representatives and members of the Public.

No information available at this time.

Le Hamel, France.

From Amiens

Follow the road towards Longueau, then take the D1029 towards Villers-Bretonneux and Péronne. Continue through Villers-Bretonneux, at the roundabout, take the third exit towards Le Hamel. Continue to the town centre and follow the signs to the Australian Memorial. Turn right onto Rue du 4 Juillet 1918.

From the Australian National Memorial

Take the D23 towards Villers-Bretonneux. At the first roundabout, turn left onto the D1029, then follow the directions above to Le Hamel and the Australian Memorial.