Kennedy Regiment Commemorative Service – Townsville

On Sunday 20th August The Kennedy Regiment Commemorative Service was held at St James Cathedral in Townsville. Members of the 31st Battalion and the 42nd Battalion Associations were invited to attend.

The service was conducted by the Very Reverend Dr Kenneth Lay. The Battalion colours were unfurled and displayed during the service.

The Commemoration was followed by refreshments served in the Cathedral Hall. The service this year was smaller than usual due to the commitment of serving members to the Joint Defence Exercise “Talisman Sabre”.

Members with the Colours at St James Cathedral – Townsville 

Above – Members and Partners Enjoying Light Refreshments After the Service

 

 

50 year Commemoration – Vietnam War Vets

A number of our 31st Battalion Association members saw service in Vietnam during the conflict period in the 1960s and early 1970s. Ingham Branch President – Felix Reitano, sends this photo of ex C Company 31st Battalion members taken on Vietnam Remembrance Day today (18th Aug 2023).

Lest We Forget

Photo L to R Felix Reitano, Rick Butler, Rodney Jones, Joe Cervellin

The Journey Home from the Fromelles Commemoration – 2023

For the 31st Battalion Association’s Commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles, Peter Nelson travelled from his Victorian home to be part of the service in Ipswich. On his return journey he uncovered quite a lot of Battalion history which he relates below:

On our return journey from this year’s Remembrance Ceremony of the Battle of Fromelles, held at the Ipswich RSL, I was compelled to visit Hidden Vale, Grandchester. This was the home of Mr A.J. Cotton, who donated a Cornet, Tenor Horn and Trombone to the 31st Battalion Band in August 1915. These were very valuable instruments and were utilised with great effect by the Band, entertaining the men of the 8th Brigade in Egypt, under Sgt Drummer Albert Compton.

Alfred John Cotton held pastoral holdings and was the father of Frederick Sidney Cotton, aviator extraordinaire. Sidney Cotton led an extraordinary life. Both Alfred and Sidney are buried at Tallegalla Cemetery, not far from Hidden Vale, and we took the opportunity to visit.

On to Hidden Vale where we provided the Spicers resort management with details and information on the Cornet (which they were unaware of). I believe the cornet was issued to Cpl James Compton (son of Sgt Drummer Albert Compton). This Cornet was recovered, repaired and used to sound the Last Post over each of the Fromelles Pheasant Wood reburials, as well as being played at Menin Gate, Cobbers at the Melbourne Shrine, Thiepval and several other appearances. James Compton was wounded at Fromelles, became Bandmaster of AIF Bands, England, and upon return to Australia he was Champion Cornetist of Queensland and Australia throughout the 1920s & 30s. He also established the Toowoomba Band post WW1 and the Cairns Citizens Military Band in the 1930s.

During WWII as a Captain, he served as Adjutant and QM with 1 Australian Reception Camp, New Guinea. Another remarkable man. The Cornet is in safe keeping with the North Queensland Military Museum, Townsville, NQ.

The Bugle

The Cornet

Alfred Cotton Residence Hidden Vale Granchester

Alfred Cotton Grave Site


Leaving Hidden Vale, we discovered the Grandchester Roll of Honour at the Grandchester Railway Station. This Roll revealed not only the service of Sidney Cotton, but also several 31st Bn members from Grandchester, namely

Cpl Robert Carew, DCM (WIA at Fromelles),

CSM Ernest Holland (WIA at Fromelles),

Pte 2974A Cyril Edward Rafter,

Pte 4178 William Alexis Rafter,

Pte 4815A John Richard Nixon-Smith

(won the Welterweight Boxing championship of AIF & 4th British Army in Jan 1918), and

Pte 325 Michael Toohey (POW at Fromelles).

Honour Board at Grandchester


Each had a story, though I was interested in CSM Ernest Holland, also wounded at Fromelles. Although the Roll of Honour shows an error of him being awarded DCM. His details follow.


Ernest HOLLAND
Service No 352
Rank CSM
Born Nottingham, England
NoK (f) Mr Alfred Holland & (m) Mrs Janet Holland, 31 Fletcher St, Buston, Nottingham England

(w) Mrs Gertrude (Gertie) Holland, Franklin Vale, Grandchester, Qld, later Healy St, Toowoomba, Qld

previously Ruthven St, Middle Ridge, Toowoomba, Qld, and c/o Mrs Alex Smith, Bandon Grove, Dungog, NSW
“On the 18th September, 1915, at St. Luke’s Cathedral, Brisbane, Australia, Sergeant Ernest Holland, 31st Batt., 8th Brigade, Australian Forces, eldest son of Alfred and Janet Holland, of 31 Fletcher Road, Beeston, Nottingham, England, and grandson of Alexander McLeod, late of Nottingham and Beeston, to

Margaret Tighe, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Tighe, of Grandchester, Queensland.”
Enlistment 12thJul 1915 Grandchester, Queensland
Age 20
Status & Religion Married, C.of E.
Occupation Ploughman
Address Franklin Vale, Grandchester, Queensland
Outcome KIA on 14th Mar 1917 at Bapaume, France
Notes AWM Photo P03633.003 with two wound stripes (killed in action 14 March 1917 at Bapaume, France)
Served 2 years with Territorials, Nottinghamshire, England
Unallotted Inf from 12th Jul to 1st Aug 1915
Pte with 31stBn 1st Aug 1915
Promoted Sgt on 25th Sep 1915
Mate of CSM W McLean (joined and promoted same time periods)
Original, ‘B’ Coy, 31st Bn
Embarked at Melbourne, on HMAT A62 “WANDILLA”, 9 Nov 1915
Disembarked at Suez on 7th Dec 1915
Embarked to join BEF at Alexandria on HMT “Hororata” on 16th Jun 1916
Disembarked at Marseilles on 23rd Jul 1916
WIA (GSW hand & neck) on 19th Jul 1916 at Fromelles
Admitted 2ndCCS (GSW hand & neck) and transferred to Amb Train on 20th Jul 1916
Admitted 25thGeneral Hospital, Hardelot, (GSW upper extremities) on 20th Jul 1916
Discharged to Base Details, Boulogne, on 27th Jul 1916
Proceeded to Etaples on 28th Jul 1916
Marched in to 5th ADBD, Etaples from wounded on 28th Jul 1916
Proceeded to join unit on 3rd Aug 1916
Rejoined unit ex wounded on 5th Aug 1916
Promoted Company Sergeant Major (vice CSM McLean promoted 2/Lt), on 11th Sep 1916
WIA 2nd occ (GSW L forearm) on 9th Oct 1916 at Houplines
Admitted 8thFld Amb (GSW L forearm) and transferred to CCS on 9th Oct 1916
Admitted 2ndCCS and transferred to 25th Amb Train on 9th Oct 1916
Admitted 35thGeneral Hospital, Calais, on 16th Oct 1916
Embarked on HS ‘Dieppe’ for England ex 35th Gen Hospital, on 21st Oct 1916
Admitted 5thNorthern Hospital, Newcastle, on 21st Oct 1916
Transferred to 1st Aux Hospital, Harefield, on 21st Nov 1916
Discharged to furlough on 23rdNov and to report No 1 Comm Depot Perham Downs on 9th Dec 1916,
Reclassified ‘A’
Marched out No 1 Comm Depot, Perham Downs to 8th Trng Bn, on 11th Dec 1916
Marched in to 8th Trng Bn, Hurdcott, on 12th Dec 1916
Proceeding overseas to France per ‘Princess Victoria’ via Folkestone on 16thJan 1917
Marched in to 5th AIDBD, Etaples, from England on 17th Jan 1917
Proceeded to join unit on 20th Jan 1917
Rejoined unit from wounded on 23rd Jan 1917
KIA on 14th Mar 1917 at Bapaume, France (shot by a sniper)
Buried at H.32.G.6.5 Warlencourt Trench.
Buried just SW of Bapaume

Buried Beaulencourt British Cemetery, Ligny-Thilloy, France. 1.G.13

Fromelles Commemmoration France – 2023

The Town of Fromelles in northern France held the 107th Anniversary Commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles at Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery at 6.00 pm on the 19th July 2023. This year there were 7 newly named headstones  unveiled amongst the 250 buried in the Pheasant Wood Cemetery after they were recently identified through DNA.

The following were the newly identified soldiers:

Sgt Oscar Eric Baumann – 32nd Bn
Cpl William John Stephen – 55th Bn
Pte Alexander Russell Robert Page – 32nd Bn
Pte Maurice James Claxton – 32nd Bn
Pte Walter Allen Grace – 31st Bn
Pte Edwin Charles Gray – 32nd Bn
Pte Richard James McGuarr – 55th Bn

These men were KIA in the German lines during the Battle & buried by them behind the German lines shortly after the Battle in July 1916. They were discovered by Lambis Englezos AM & his team in 2008 and the Cemetery was created in 2010. (Forthe story of Lambis Englezos AM and his search for the missing 250 of the Battle of Fromelles search – LAMBIS ENGLEZOS – on this website.

The Commemoration was hosted by the Australian Ambassador to France, Her Excellency Mrs Gilliam Bird with Lt Col Dean Kachab officiating. The Mayor of Fromelles & other elected French Officials were present along with French Military Officers and French War Veterans. Also in attendance were relatives of 5 of the recently identified diggers from the Battle. The Director of the Sir John Monash Centre in Villers Bretonneux, Ms Rebecca Doyle was also present.

Our Honorary Member in France Pierre Seillier OAM, together with his wife, Corrine, (as he is recovering from surgery), laid a Wreath on behalf of the 31st Infantry Battalion Association.

LEST WE FORGET.

Three of the Newly Identified Soldiers Ready to be Unveilled During the Service

corrinneAndLambis364210429_2508296359317940_892902814288795753_n

Corrine Seillier Laying the 31st Bn Assoc Wreath with Lambis Englezos AM and Pierre Seillier OAM on Right

31st Infantry Battalion Association Wreath

corrinneAndPierre364168510_2508296332651276_277786323067564985_n

Martial DeleBarre AM President of Local Remembrance Assoc on Left about to lay a Wreath

AmbassadorBirdandPierreCapture d'écran 2023-07-20 104735

Her Excellency Ms Gillian Bird PSM Australian Ambassador to France with Pierre Seillier OAM

Ms Rebecca Doyle Director of the SJMC Villiers Bretonneux

Ms Rebecca Doyle – Director of Sir John Monash Centre – Villers Bretonneux

pierreAndLambis2023-07-20 104846

Lambis Englezos AM with Pierre Seillier OAM

thefourAMsorOAMCapture d'écran 2023-07-20 104909

Four “Order of Australia” Recipients

Former Mayor Hubert Huchette AM, Pierre Seillier OAM, Martial DeleBarre AM

President Local Remembrance Association FWTM 14 -18 ( Fromelles et Weppes Terre de Mémoire 14-18,

Fromelles and Weppes Land of Remembrance 14-18), and Lambis Englezos AM

Weppes is the name of the shire in which Fromelles is Located 

—–

 

Battle of Fromelles Commemoration – 2023

The annual Commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles was held yesterday (Wednesday 19th July 2023). Executive Member of the 31st Infantry Battalion Association (Brisbane Branch) Mick James describes the Commemorative event held on the lawn at the RSL in Nicholas Street Ipswich.

Wednesday 19th July 2023, the 31stInfantry Battalion Assoc (Brisbane Branch) conducted a Commemoration on the 107th Anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles, in partnership with the Ipswich RSL sub branch. This year the Commemoration was held at the Honour Stone adjacent to the Ipswich RSL Memorial Hall at 63 Nicholas St Ipswich.

The Commemoration was hosted by Mr Paul Rogers, President of the Ipswich RSL sub branch & Mr Greg Stokie , President of the 31st Infantry Battalion Assoc in Townsville. Unfortunately our Brisbane President, Mr Ray Fogg, was unable to attend due to illness.


Distinguished Guests were Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO, Brigadier Arran Hassell CSC, Commander of the 8th Brigade Aust Army, M Alain Etchegaray, Honaire Consul representing the French Ambassador to Australia, Ms Teresa Harding, Mayor of Ipswich, Group Captain Dennis Tan, Senior Aust Defence Force Officer RAAF Base Amberley, The Honourable Shayne Neumann MP Federal Member for Blair, Jennifer Howard MP State member for Ipswich, Jim Madden MP State member for Ipswich West.


The following relatives of diggers who fought in the Battle of Fromelles were also present and laid wreaths in memory of their relatives-
Jon & Lukas Kent, Great & Great Great nephews of Cpl ER Kent MM
Sean Kirby, Great Grandson of Sgt Cyril Kirby MM
James Danaher 3rd, Great nephew of Lt James Danaher
Mr & Mrs Graham Trimble Grandson of Edgar Williams MM

After a welcome address by Mr Greg Stokie, Padre Rev Dr Peter Woodward gave prayers followed by Address of Commemoration-

Mr Alain Etchegaray spoke of the gratitude of the French people for the Australian Diggers who sacrificed so much in the defence of France.

Brigadier Arran Hassell CSC gave a moving Address on the Battle and its disastrous aftermath.


Students from Ripley State Secondary College gave an Address on Lt George Still MC of 31stBn and his actions in the Battle. (The story of Lt George Still MC was told on this website on December 2020. (Search this website – GEORGE STILL  or alternatively from the list of Archives December 2020).

Wreaths were then laid. Then the Ode was recited followed by the Last Post by Brad Strong for the 5th year in succession.

A Minute’s Silence then the Rouse followed by the closing prayers and both the French & Australian National Anthems.

A Catafalque Party from the 26 Transport Sqn- 9 FSB RAAF Base Amberley had been mounted on the Honour Stone. It was then dismounted, and the Commemoration was then completed.

Some photos are included below. I have included a map of the Battlefield for those newer members who may not have seen it before

 

An additional Note from Brisbane Branch Secretary Tony Wadeson

 
Peter Nelson & wife Barbara had driven up from Victoria. He has Visited Fromelles France, many times & was there in 2010 at the time Dame Quentin as GG, with Prince, now King Charles III, – Officiated at the Dedication and Opening of the New Pheasant Wood Cemetery where the 250 Missing Bodies were found by Lambis Englezos AM in 2008. Thats a stirring Story –  LAMBIS ENGLEZOS (search this website – LAMBIS ENGLEZOS  – for the story of the missing 250 diggers of Fromelles)
Peter a retired Airline Pilot, is our Historian on the 31st Bn. His grandfather fought at the Battle of Fromelles. He has handed over to our local historian Mick James & to the IPSWICH RSL Archives, – 30 years of Research on 31st Bn since it was raised at Enoggera 1915. He has every Digger listed (& some Photos)  Who Died, – was Captured, & Listed Missing. Plus other Battle Info. 

Fromelles – VC Corner Military Cemetery

In recent years attention has been directed towards the Pheasant Wood Cemetery where the there is an ongoing story of identification of the missing soldiers from the battle of Fromelles in Northern France (Search this website –  Lambis Englezos AM – for the story of the missing 250 soldiers).

Just 2km towards the north west of the Pheasant Wood Cemetery is the VC Corner Military Cemetery where many of the dead were re-interred shortly after the battle on 19 July 1916.

Below are a number of photos depicting VC Corner Cemetery during the Centenary Commemorations (July 2016) of the Battle of Fromelles posted by Richard Hope -Hawkins . The Colours of the 31st Battalion The Royal Queensland Regiment, were paraded both at VC Corner Cemetery and at Pheasant Wood Cemetery at Fromelles during the commemoration.

 

Battle of Fromelles Commemoration – Info and Venue Map

31st Bn Assoc. Members, & Friends. We ask you all to join us, – 31st Bn Association, in conjunction with the Ipswich RSL Sub-Branch to the 107th Anniversary of -The Battle of Fromelles Commemoration Service. (Please refer to the attachments below.)
This a BIG DAY of Commemoration for the 31st Bn Association. – As the 31st Bn (now 31/42 Bn RQR) is the only Battalion out of the 5th Div AIF which took part in the Battle of Fromelles in WW1 – still on strength in the ADF today We therefore ask you to join us at our Commemoration Service on Wednesday 19th July. 
 –
We are Honoured this year to have Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO as our Special Guest. 
On the 19th July 2010 the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III, together with Dame Quentin Bryce the then Governor General of Australia, were the Guests of Honour at the Official Opening and Dedication of the new Fromelles – Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery. This Cemetery was specially built by the CWGC to house the 250 Bodies of mainly Australian and some British soldiers discovered buried at Pheasant Wood in 2008 – 92 years after the Battle. Many of these bodies have since been identified by DNA as soldiers of the 8th BDE (Many of 31st Bn)
 –
We are also honoured to have – BRIG Arran Hassell CSC, Commander 8th BDE, as  the Principal Guest Speaker. (31st Bn was part of the 8th BDE at the Battle of Fromelles.)   
DATE/TIME: – Wednesday 19th July at 11.00 AM 
 
LOCATION:- Honour Stone, – Soldiers Memorial Hall.  – 63 Nicholas St. Ipswich Q’ld
 
DRESS:- Jacket & Tie with Medals/Service Dress
 
RSVP:-  Secretary 31st Bn Assoc. – Tony Wadeson – wadesonriver@aapt.net.au  or Phone/Text – 0427 337 177
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Fromelles Commemoration – Ipswich Venue and Parking Information
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Battle of Fromelles 19th/20th July 1916 – “Brief”

The 19th July 2023 will be the 107th Anniversary of the “Battle of Fromelles” on the Western Front – WW1. Fromelles is situated in France near the Belgian Border just south of Ypres & west of Lille.

It was the First battle undertaken by Australian Troops on the Western Front.

It was carried out by the, 8th – 14th & 15th Brigade’s of the Aust 5th Division & on their Right, the British 61st Div. – (Territorial troops)

(The 31st Bn led by LTCOL Fred Toll was part of the 8th Brigade)

Fromelles was planned by the British as a Diversionary Attack to convince the Germans not to move troops south to the Somme, where the British & French had started a major push on the 1st July. 11 Divisions of the British 4th Army had sustained massive casualties exceeding eighty thousand, on the Somme around the Pozieres area, up to the time of 19th July, with little to show for it.

A British General, LTGEN Richard Haking planned the attack at Fromelles. This was unfortunate for the Australians, as he had previously been involved with planning an attack 14 Months earlier with British troops, over exactly the same ground, with absolutely no gain & very heavy casualties. His plan for the Australian 5th Division was basically the same plan with less Troops & less experienced Australian Artillery, against a now improved, fortified in-trenched enemy.

After the previous attack, the Germans spent the period improving & fortifying their Defences around Fromelles with Concrete Bunkers, & O/head protective cover of their trenches from Artillery. They had a clear view of the Australian Front line and an excellent observation of the battlefield from the Church Spire in the village of Fromelles. The Germans also had the Australian Front Line & supporting areas well ranged by their Artillery & Mortars. They had a year to practice their ranging.

The Battle of Fromelles attack started with Artillery Bombardments at 11.00 AM & at 6.00 PM (in broad daylight) the troops advanced, with the 8th Bde – 31st & 32nd Bn’s leading the attack on the left, with the 14th Brigade’s 54th & 53rd Bn’s on their right. These two Brigades had to cross about 100 yds of clear open ground of No Mans Land in front of the 31st & 32nd Bns, & up to 200 yds in front of the 54th & 53rd Bns. But, the 15th Bde on the extreme right, had to cross about 350 yds of clear open ground to reach the German Front Lines. The 15th Brigade’s two leading Battalions were almost wiped out in “No Mans Land” by heavy machine gun fire, from the “Sugarloaf position” & very few Diggers managed to reach the German Front Line, let alone penetrate it.

The 31st& 32nd – & 54th& 53rd Bns although, taking heavy casualties, over ran the German front line. The 31st Bn CO, LTCOL Fred Toll proceeded forward Approx. 400 yards looking for the proposed 3rd & 4th Lines of German Trenches, but found only muddy ditches. They returned back to a dry Ditch about 200 yards behind the main German Front Line & started to dig in as their defensive line. They managed to hold it against heavy German Artillery Barrages, & overwhelming German counter attacks, but at about 2.00AM, LTCOL Toll decided to move back to the Main German line.They held out until about 6.30 AM on the following morning, when they were forced to retreat back over No Man’s Land to their own lines due to lack of ammunition & reinforcements, sustaining further heavy casualties in the process.

The Attack was over in 18 Hours but wounded were still trying to crawl back & diggers going out to try to rescue them for many hours after.

The Battle achieved nothing, and was a disaster. There were no more attacks at Fromelles for the rest of the war. The bodies of the dead Australians lay in No Man’s Land, until after the War, and many who were killed behind the German Lines, remained as missing. After the war the 410 unidentified remains, in NO Mans Land were buried in Groups of 10 at “VC Corner” Cemetery at Fromelles. Those who were killed behind the German Lines remained as missing & would remain unheard of for about 80 Years. That’s another story. (Refer Below)

Roll call after the Battle recorded a total of 5533 Casualties by the 5th Division (Including almost 2000 Dead). This was the highest casualties sustained by any Div. within a 24hr period in Australian Military History.

However, due to the high casualties, the Battle was basically kept a secret, by high authority, and as the Aust. 1st – 2nd & 4th Divisions entered the Battle of the Somme on the 23rd July capturing Poziers & the high ground of the “Windmill” behind it, with a Casualty high of 23,000 over the following weeks, the Battle of Fromelles was forgotten & the casualties conveniently became part of the Somme offensive. The British never ever recorded Fromelles as a separate Battle & it is not recognised as such to this Day. We Australians regard it as a Battle, & the 31st Bn being the only Unit of the 5th Div. WW1, still operational & on strength in the ADF, will continue to recognise it & commemorate the Diggers who fought & died there.

LAMBIS ENGLEZOS AM

In the late 1990’s a Greek born, Arts Teacher & amateur War Historian from Melbourne started taking an interest in the Battle of Fromelles as he had interviewed old WW1 Diggers of the Victorian 15th Brigade living nearby in Melbourne. He became convinced after checking Casualty records, and reading Corfield’s Book on Fromelles “Don’t forget me Cobber” that there were approx. 250 missing Diggers unaccounted for. Lambis was on a mission. After research of German Aerial Photographs & a visit to Germany to inspect German War records, he identified that a probable Burial site, was an area astride “Pheasant Wood” which was behind the original German front Line. Lambis requested authorities to investigate the site, but they weren’t interested. However, due to his drive & persistence, it wasn’t until 2007, that authorities allowed an Archaeological team to investigate the Site. They found evidence of Australian & British Badges on the site, almost immediately, and with the lay of the Ground etc it proved to be enough evidence of a burial site, to make a dig. It wasn’t until 2009 that the dig was made & the bodies recovered.

 

All remains were reinterred in a New Cemetery named “Pheasant Wood Cemetery” with Blank Headstones. DNA was taken of each Body. As remains were identified by DNA, new Headstones with their Names & Units etc replaced the Blank ones. Due to modern DNA, remains have continued to be identified each year, & their Graves noted, including quite a few 31st Bn men. It was due to the publicity of the find of the Bodies at Fromelles that knowledge of the Battle became more widespread.

Since Lambis’s discovery, new Books have been written, a new Cemetery established, & a new Museum Built in Fromelles. In 2009, Lambis Englezos was recognised for his outstanding Service and exceptional Achievement, and awarded a Member of the Order of Australia, AM. Lambis is continuing his search for burial grounds of unaccounted missing Soldiers, in various WW1 Battle Fields. Australia owes a great deal to this man.

 

TONY WADESON (Secretary 31st Bn Association – Brisbane Branch)

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Annual Commemorative Church Service – Townsville – 2023

Members Please find the attached invitation to our Members from the 31st Bn Association President Greg Stokie Townsville to attend the Annual Kennedy Regiment Commemorative Church Service in Townsville on 20th August. Please note this invitation is extended to both 31st Bn & 42nd Bn old Boys. Anyone interested in attending please advise me. We usually have a few of us attending.  Regards Tony

Seven More Missing Diggers of Battle of Fromelles To Be Commemorated

Association Member, and regular contributor Mick James reports that seven more diggers have been identified and as a result of the untiring efforts Lambis Englazos AM (Search this website –  Lambis Englezos AM – for the story of the missing 250 soldiers) will have newly named Headstones unveiled at the 107th Anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles to be held at the Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery at Fromelles on 19th July 2023. Special mention is made of No 1537 Pte Walter Allen GRACE who was a member of our own 31st Battalion.

Our Honorary Association member in France, Pierre Seillier has created the plaques shown below and has included information from the CWGC website on the location of the graves of 6 of the 7 new soldiers identified in the Fromelles Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery:


OSCAR ERIC BAUMANN Sergeant Service Number: 10 – 32nd Bn .II. E. 11


WILLIAM JOHN STEPHEN Corporal Service Number: 2772 – 55th Bn .II. E. 5


ALEXANDER RUSSELL ROBERT PAGE Private Service Number: 1082 – 32nd Bn .IV. D. 3


MAURICE JAMES CLAXTON PrivateService Number: 1239 – 32nd Bn .IV. D. 11


WALTER ALLEN GRACE PrivateService Number: 1537 – 31st Bn .II. F. 15


EDWIN CHARLES GRAY Private Service Number: 20 – 32nd Bn .IV. D. 8

RICHARD JAMES McGUARR Private Service Number: 3873 – 55th Bn

Richard McGuarr’s information is yet to be updated and is still listed as commemorated in .V.C. CORNER AUSTRALIAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL, FROMELLES Panel 13.

 

LEST WE FORGET.

Battle of Fromelles Commemoration – 2023

Over the past few years the 31st Battalion Association commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles has been held at Ipswich Cemetery. This year it will be held at the Ipswich Soldiers Memorial Hall in the centre of Ipswich on 19th July at 11am.

Our Honoured Special Guest for the occasion will be Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO

The Soldiers Memorial Hall is at 63 Nicholas St Ipswich Queensland.

The Ipswich City Council 3 hr free Car Park is 800M away.