The Story of the Cornet used for the Bugle Calls for the 31st Battalion is an interesting one told by Life Member and historian Peter Nelson. This year (19th July 2026) will mark the 110th anniversary of the battle of Fromelles which will be commemorated in a service at the Ipswich RSL Memorial Hall Honour Stone at 63 Nicholas Street, Ipswich, Queensland.
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The Battle of Fromelles fought in Northern France by the Australian 5th Division was the first battle by Australian troops on the Western Front after the withdrawal and re-organization following the Gallipoli campaign.
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Our 31st Battalion was a part of the 8th Brigade of the 5th Division during the battle. It is the only Battalion from that battle still serving. As the CO – LTCOL Merrick Lalor and the RSM – WO1 Glenn Herbert of 31/42 Bn RQR are attending the commemoration, the Army Museum North Queensland has granted permission to allow the 31st Bn WW1 – Cornet to accompany the RSM down to Brisbane to be on Display at the Commemoration Service.
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This Cornet was originally donated to the 31st Bn by Mr A.J.Cotton of Hidden Vale Station,-Grandchester, approx 32 Kms from Ipswich. After its Historic Service in WW1. – By sheer chance, it was acquired on ebay by 31st Bn Assoc. Historian and Life Member Peter Nelson in 2009.
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Peter’s Grandfather LT J.M. Nelson MC served with 31st Battalion during WW1 and took part in the Battle of Fromelles.
This Cornet, after Peter arranged it to be repaired, was used to play the Last Post for each of the 250 Bodies found at Pheasant Wood in 2008 that were reburied in the New Cemetery at Pheasant Wood in 2010. The search for these missing diggers from the Battle of Fromelles relentlessly driven by Lambis Englazos is covered in other posts on this website.
Link to Lambis Lecture – Search For the Missing Diggers of Fromelles
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The history which Peter has entitled it “The Heart and Soul of the Brown and Gold” is featured below and is well worth while reading. This Cornet will be on Display at our Commemoration Service at the Ipswich RSL on the 19th July 2026.
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