The Families and Friends of the First AIF are conducting a Commemorative Procession and Commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles on Friday 19 July 2024 from 10.30am.

The Procession will begin at the Archibald Fountain at 10.30am and will arrive at the Anzac Memorial at approximately 10.50am. The Archibald Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park was unveiled in 1932 to commemorate the relationship between Australia and France during the Great War. The Procession also re-enacts the final march of the veterans of the 5th Division on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles (19 July 1966) to the Anzac Memorial where they requested that the Trustees of the Anzac Memorial always remember on 19 July the sacrifice of the 8,100 soldiers of the 5th Division Killed in Action during the First World War and those who had died since. It also symbolically represents crossing the “400 yards” of “No-man’s land” on the Fromelles battlefield.

The Commemoration will begin at 11.00am and presents an opportunity to celebrate the bond between France and Australia and demonstrate Australia’s empathy for and support for the people of France, Belgium and the UK. 

For an overview of the Battle of Fromelles as well as an appreciation of its impact on families and the significance of the Battle in Australian history, the extraordinary 30 minute Fromelles Documentary produced by the Students of St Clare’s College, Waverley in  2021 is commended. The students undertook research of the Battle of Fromelles over 3 years, interviewing descendants, using innovative technology and raising funds for the production and participated in the Fromelles Day Commemorations in 2018 and 2019 which complemented their HSC studies. 

To RSVP, please email rsvp@fffaif.org.au or contact Ms Jill Hayes, FFFAIF Committee Member 0458 571 612.