Australia’s Heroes: Deeds Enshrined At Villers Bretonneux

Northern Advocate, 23 July 1938, Page 5

Australia’s Heroes: Deeds Enshrined At Villers Bretonneux

(Received 10 a.m.l LONDON, July 22. *J*HEIR MAJESTIES ARRIVED AT VILLERS BRETONNEUX AT 1.30 TO-DAY FOR THE UNVEILING OF THE AUSTRALIAN WAR MEMORIAL, SAYS THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS. WHEN THEY REACHED THE MEMORIAL, “GOD SAVE THE KING” WAS PLAYED AND SUNG BY THE |ASSEMBLED CROWD. The King then inspected the Australian ex-servicemen in the guard of honour. In unbroken ranks, 30,000 troops were strung for miles round the memorial, in order to safeguard Their Majesties. Thousands stood waistdeep in golden corn, the khaki lines disappearing below the memorial in the summer haze. France has displayed particular pleasure at the presence of such distinguished persons from Australia and from Britain, and gave Lord Gowrie, Australian Governor-General, a special welcome. The assembled thousands had cheered the Royal visitors on their ceremonial drive from the city. Early in the morning, first detachments of groups in full battle order began to converge on the famous hill. It was a great informal parade of the two nations for hours before the arrival of Their Majesties. The Diggers everywhere were given honour and received with the greatest respect, and each in turn tried to express gratitude for the magnificent tribute of France. As the King unveiled the memoria 1, a fanfare of trumpets was sounded.