Villers-Bretonneux Archives - CONTACT magazine

Able Seaman Joshua Bishenden, Private Daniel Barlow and Able Seaman Mitchell Rigney at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra during final preparations for Anzac Day 2025. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photo by Corporal Nicole Dorrett.

Chance to honour family military heritage

18/04/202518/04/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1355 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, France, Villers-Bretonneux

With Anzac Day fast approaching, members of Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) are preparing for one of the most significant events

RAAF musician Corporal Robert Scott plays the bagpipes during the Anzac Day dawn service in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Story by Flight Sergeant Vicki Shelley. Photo by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Pack your bagpipes, tour the world

21/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 871 Views 0 Comments Air Force Band, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

In 2015 Corporal Rob Scott was studying at the Conservatoire de Versailles, only a few hundred metres as the crow

Private William Higgs’ newly installed headstone at Commonwealth War Graves Commission's (CWGC) Crucifix Corner Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux, France. Story. by Aaron Pegram. Photo courtesy of CWGC.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Search goes on for the lost but not forgotten

12/11/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1011 Views 0 Comments Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Unrecovered War Casualties – Army (UWC-A), Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

On Remembrance Day, as Australians reflect on the sacrifice of those who have served, the Manager of Unrecovered War Casualties

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart speaks with Ukrainian soldiers training under Operation Kudu during a visit to the United Kingdom. Story by Lieutenant Commander John Thompson. Photos by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

ADF People Australian Army Lest We Forget

Chief of Army visits Aussie troops in England

26/04/202427/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1545 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Chief of Army, Villers-Bretonneux

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart urged Australians across the world to honour the words of the Ode of

Leading Aircraftwoman Hunter Westbrook, of Australia’s Federation Guard, visits the resting place of her distant cousin, Private Victor Westbrook, at the Bailleul Communal Cemetery in Northern France. Story by Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. Photos by Sergeant Oliver Carter.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Cousins ‘unite’ in France a century later – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 994 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, AWM, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

As told by Leading Aircraftwoman Hunter Westbrook, of Australia’s Federation Guard, to Flight Lieutenant Lily Lancaster. CAPTION: Leading Aircraftwoman Hunter Westbrook,

Australia's Federation Guard members, Corporal Michael Byrne, left, Able Seaman Christopher Innis and Corporal Julie Kling with photos of their relatives at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Story by Captain Karam Louli. Photos by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Honouring past relatives on French soil – Anzac Day

23/04/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 974 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day, Australia’s Federation Guard, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

Almost 106 years after guns fell silent in the battle of Villers-Bretonneux, one of the descendants of a soldier killed

Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award ambassador Corporal Justin Wells picks a poppy beside the Le Hamel Australian Corps Memorial, France. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People Europe Lest We Forget

On the spot of an heroic stand

29/08/202329/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1624 Views 0 Comments France, Victoria Cross, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

Walking in the footsteps of a Victoria Cross (VC) recipient from World War I gave a Jonathan Church Good Soldiering

Australian Army Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Award ambassador Corporal Justin Wells, beside the headstone of Gunner William Tasker at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Villers-Bretonneux France. Story and photos by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

ADF People History Lest We Forget

Wallabies seek inspiration from our fallen

25/08/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 967 Views 0 Comments ADF Sport, France, Last Post, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

It was one of the most stunning battlefield victories and the beginning of the end of WW1. CAPTION: Australian Army

The unveiled headstone of recently identified First World War Australian Army soldier Driver Albert Nicholson at Adelaide Cemetery in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Story by Captain Sarah Kelly.

Australian Army Europe History News

Headstone unveiled for WWI soldier Albert Nicholson

29/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3006 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day 2022, Unrecovered War Casualties – Army, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

More than 104 years after his death, the grave of 21-year-old WWI soldier, No. 10778 Driver Albert Nicholson is now marked

ADF People History

Musician’s touching tribute

23/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1122 Views 0 Comments ANZAC Day 2022, Villers-Bretonneux, WWI

More than 105 years after his death, the name and legacy of Private No. 5104 Matthew Tubman lives on. CAPTION:

Australia’s Federation Guard catafalque party prepare to dismount during the commemorative service for the centenary of the First World War Armistice, Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France. Photo by Corporal Jake Sims.

Australian Europe News Overseas Veterans

DVA confirms timings for Anzac day service at Villers-Bretonneux

08/02/2019 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3861 Views 1 Comment Villers-Bretonneux

Following publication of “Timings for Anzac Day service at Villers-Bretonneux changed at short notice“, CONTACT asked the Department of Veterans’

Royal Australian Air Force Leading Aircraftman Ryan Mostyn visits the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, before going to France, where he will participate in the 2018 Anzac Day commemorative program on the Western Front as a member of Australia's Federation Guard. Photo by Leading Seaman Chris Beerens.

Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Veterans Videos

Aircraftman honours family KIA at Villers-Bretonneux

13/04/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4543 Views 0 Comments Villers-Bretonneux

Royal Australian Air Force Leading Aircraftman Ryan Mostyn will travel to France for Anzac Day 2018 to perform ceremonial duties