In 1993 the Australian government unveiled memorial plaques at the Australian 1st Division memorial and at the Windmill site at Pozieres. In September 1997 a monument and further plaque were inaugurated to commemorate the men of the Australian forces who fell in the fighting in August and September 1916 in the struggle to move northwards from Pozieres, towards Thiepval and the Stuff and Zollern Redoubts.
In die form of a vertical stone slab bearing a bronze relief map with discourse in English and French, the monument is located at the junction of the track running down to the rebuilt Mouquet Farm from the D73 road between Pozieres and Thiepval.
The site is very close to the line of a major German trench, Constance Trench, which ran along the southern side of the track before crossing the road and continuing towards Ovillers. The unveiling was earned out by the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Mr. Tim Fisher. On arrival from Brussels, he inspected a guard of honour before being introduced to members of the local community and various VIPs. In his speech, he referred to the horrors that were experienced by all who fought in the battles for Pozieres and Mouquet Farm and to the relations which still exist between Australia and France as a result of the war. The unveiling was followed by wreath-laying and prayers by Canon Ruddle and Brother Claude Massard and finally the Last Post.
After the ceremony, guests were entertained at Thiepval church where Mr Fisher made presentations to Monsieur Gonse, the owner of Mouquet Farm, and to Monsieur Leguillier. The Australian Ambassador then presented Monsieur and Madame Letaille with the Order of Australia for their work in France on behalf of Australian interests. Before returning to Brussels, Mr. Fisher visited, and laid wreaths at, the British Memorial to the Missing at Thiepval.
Dr Graham Keech (Bulletin No. 50)
