Remembering

Today we achieved the purpose of this whole trip when we attended a ceremony at the Thiepval Memorial and laid a wreath in memory of Great Uncle Robert who was killed here 100 years ago at the age of 21.
Present were 7 great and greater nieces and nephews and 11 other friends.
It was a very moving and emotional moment.

After the formalities we spent some time at this impressive site (the largest British military memorial in the world) where thousands of names of those missing in action whose bodies have never been identified are inscribed.

Uncle Robert was a member of the British Army, 10th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, unlike my two grandfathers who also fought on the Western Front with the Australian Army.

Later we re-visited Villers-Bretonneux to see the museum and the school which was built from donations from Victorian school children.
There is a very prominent sign in the grounds saying "Do Not Forget Australia".

Next we called at Pozieres where preparations are under way for the ceremony tomorrow commemorating the centenary of  Battle of Pozieres.

Finally we managed to find the impressive statue of The Bullecourt Digger in the small village of that name.

Once again the days are too long here so it's 11pm and I am out of time to thank you all for your lovely comments, stars and hearts from yesterday but I do appreciate them :-)
Bon nuit.