Anzac Day in France.

[English Bloke]

As some of you may remember from the Dumfries March Burns Supper thread, I've had a friend from Australia visiting recently. Shane is a long standing mate and we met when we worked together while we were both serving in our respective Nation's Armies in Germany in the 90's. I'm out now but he is still in the Australian Army and took leave to come to Europe to, among other things, attend a wedding in Lancashire, learn to snowboard in the Alps and attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Villers Bretonneux in France. My family and I made a long weekend of it too. Thought you might like to join us.

We set off from Lancashire for Dover at around 11 o'clock (23:00) and with only one stop, we arrived about 05:00, just as Dawn was breaking and were soon on the ferry...




There was a bit of a delay while they bunkered fuel so we watched a few other ships come and go...


and went out on deck to strike up the guitars.




Pretty soon we were underway.

It took 90 minutes to get across to Calais. After docking we changed clocks and watches and set the sat-nav for Amiens,


We had a brief stop and a leg stretch on the way which gave my daughter a chance to have a run about. It's no fun sitting in a car for ages when you're only three.

My mate Shane meanwhile had travelled up to Paris from Geneva a couple of days previously and had travelled down from Paris to Amiens that morning.


We agreed to meet up in Amiens Cathedral square.


We picked him up in due course and made our way across town to a Motel in Glisy on the edge of town. As soon as we'd established there was to be no more driving we broke out the hip flasks and sank a nip or two.


That night we ate at a steak restuarant round the corner. There was a lovely kids play area in the garden which kept my little one busy.

[English Bloke]

That night we also bumped in a few other Australians who were there for the weekend.

The next day we went to Villers Bretonneaux, the town next to the Australian National Memorial. It's a beautiful little place and immaculately clean and cared for...












It was a baking hot day so we found a local cafe and settled down to coffees and teas. Wonderful.

[English Bloke]

In the local stadium a game of Australian Rules football had been arranged between ex-pat Australians and the French.


Before the game started there was a footy skills workshop for all the locals and visitors that were interested.


I was left holding the baby... She didn't seem to happy with the arrangement either.


Come early afternoon, we settled down to watch the footy proper. They didn't have any pies so we improvised with kebab and chips. It was delicious and nothing like the dog meat on a stick you get in Britain.
My daughter was particularly pleased with the wild flowers she'd managed to collect.




Soon the game got started.


"Cummon Ump? He's been doin' it all day, open your eyes ya white maggot"




Shane's travelling flag made a re-appearance to thaw out after being taken to the top of a French Alp a few days before.


My Son and I thought it was great.

[English Bloke]

It was a close run thing and by the end of the third quarter I had more than a vague idea of what was going on. I was finding it hard to come to terms with all the deliberate knock-ons and no scrummages. It definately needs some development. The game finished 120 / 102... To the French!!

I fine result for them and an equally fine spectacle put on by both sides.


Even Medals were presented to both teams. Here the French captain raises the "ANZAC Challenge Cup".


The Australians claimed they had some issues with fielding a full team as a number of players couldn't get to the event due to the disruption to air travel. (or so they said... hehehehe) The game ws also played last year and will now become an annual event. The current overall score is Australia 1 - France 1. Next year is a decider.


My little girl didn't find it at all interesting so she found herself another friend to play with.


Then she decided to play the "I'm not going to do anything my Daddy tells me" game. Also one of my favorites.


And so a last look back at the town before heading off to our Motel. Early start tomorrow.

[English Bloke]

The next day we were all up at two and away by three.


This is my "don't crease me jacket" jacket for travelling in. The hat is 'cause it was freeeeeezing! This is us looking at Rabbits in the Motel grounds. There were dozens of them.


We got to the memorial about 03:30 by the time we'd worked out the traffic and parking plan... and we were by no means the first there. This is the sight that greeted us as we approached from the road on foot.


and a little closer.


The organisation of the whole event was superb. The visitors were funneled towards the entrance and met by uniformed Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen who handed out a free bi-lingual order of service and pin badge sporting Australian and French flags entwined.


There were 3,600 seats provided with additional standing space available at the rear and sides of the seating. By 05:30 when the commemoration service started, the place was mobbed.


Music was provided by the Sydney Boys High School Band.


The view of the memorial tower from where we were sitting.


The Master of Ceremonies was Major General Paul Stevens AO (Retd), The call to remembrance was given by His Excellency Mr David Ritchie. Australian Ambassador to France and the Sevice was led by a British Army Chaplain in lieu of the Australian Chaplain who couldn't get there because of the no-fly restriction. The last post and revellie was played by a professor of Music from the University in Paris and was sent out across the countryside from the top of the memorial tower (see above and below). Despite the difficulties with travel there were still over 4,000 people there and the event was televised all over Australia and New Zealand by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

[English Bloke]

After the service was finished there were coffee and cakes available provided by the Mayor and Community of Villers Bretonneaux.


We hung around for a bit to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the moment.


Shane and I in our finary.


It seemed appropriate that the travelling flag came out to join us.


The wreaths that were laid during the service.




We also ventured to the top of the tower.


Closer view of the adjoining cemetery.

[English Bloke]

Met a number of other people up there. This is a bloke called Dingo who was travelling with his brother Wayne. They had been laid up in Kuala Lumpur in Malasia for a week and only just managed to get a flight to Frankfurt the previous night. They had hired a car in Germany and driven all night to get there. They arrived ONE minute after the service started.


A direction and distance indicator in the top of the tower.


Gallipoli (Gelibolu) 1500kms


It was a splendid view.


The coffee tent and porta-loos beconned us down.


Team shot.


The other... and better looking half of the team.


The Gendarmerie keeping it all safe.

[English Bloke]

After the Dawn Service at the memorial there was a wreath laying ceremony at the French Memorial in town to the killed, missing and deported of both world wars. Members of the RSL (The Returned and Services League Australia) marched up to the centotaph singing "Waltzing Matilda"


French standard bearers from the ex service branches.






Australian Military Dignitaries.


French Military

[English Bloke]

After the service all the public were invited to the town market hall to see a performance by the Somme Pipes and Drums and Orchestre de Cuivres Amiens (Amiens Brass Orchestra). Shane and I decided to stand to allow more senior people to sit as well as get a better view. We were mistaken for bouncers on a couple of occasions. "Not today Sir... Not in those shoes."


The Pipes and Drums played alone initially.




The auditorium was packed with standing room only at the back.


The Pipes were joined by the Brass Band. As an ex military bloke I love the mix of bagpipes and brass...


The finale of "Highland Cathedral" was magnificent.


Managed to catch a few words with the band as thay packed away their gear.


The Pipe Major (Frenchman) was pleased to see another kilt in attendance.


After the concert and a spot of lunch, we went over the road to the Pub and met ... some Australians.


Our team seems to be getting bigger.

[English Bloke]

As it transpired, the Australians were all staying in our hotel... Now there's a coincidence. So we all piled back there to "get amongst it" .


Gordan in the hat.


Shane and Laughlan


My wife and Jackie


When in France, wine should be the drink of choice.






My son and I got the guitars out for a little impromptue music and that fair broke up the party (hehehe...) We all made our way off the balcony and went for a meal. Shane and I bought two pints in a restaurant bar on the way back to the hotel and it came to Euros 7.90 each. That's £6.80 a pint. Needless to say, we only had the one.