101st Anniversary - Gueudecourt Attack

Plaque erected November 5th 2016 - for the 100th Anniversary

Today is the 101st Anniversary of the attacks near Gueudecourt, France undertaken by the 1st and 3rd battalions at the 'Triangle' and the 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th battalions at the 'Maze'.

I have included images of the memorial garden the people of Gueudecourt have now created on the Forum on the November 5th website.

http://www.november5th1916-gueudecourt.com/forum/welcome-general/101st-anniversary

November 5th 2016 Commemoration Plan

My plan for November 5th this year is as follows:

1. Meet at 11am at the French memorial in the middle of Gueudecourt.

2. Meet with the Mayor by 11:30am at the mairie.
Unveil the plaque, have a couple of speeches and there may be other items as well.

Anyone my follow me with the rest of my plan -
3. Go to the Bayonet/Hilt Trench area where the 1st and 3rd Battalions attacked where a wreath will be placed.

4. Go to the area of the Maze attack and lay a wreath.

5. Go to Villers-Bretonneux Memorial.

The battlefield (where the 1st and 3rd Battalions attacked)

French soldier memorial in Gueudecourt

Villers-Bretonneux Memorial

99th Anniversary

Ninety-nine years ago today Australian soldiers were involved in an offensive near Flers and Geuedecourt, France. 

 Thomas (my great-grandfather) and his fellow Australian soldiers of the 1st and 3rd Battalion attacked a 'triangle' just near Geuedecourt, France. Unfortunately a number of them were wounded and/or died during this attack.

This is an attack map for the 'triangle' attack on November 5th 1916

A little further along the front the 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th Battalions were also involved in this offensive. They were attacking a section called 'The Maze' and a larger number of these soldiers were wounded and/or killed then involved in the 'triangle' attack.

This is photograph of the original attack plan for the November 5th offensive.

 

 

Unfortunately for a number of the soldiers killed (especially in the 'triangle' attack) they remained un-buried where they fell until early March 1917. 

ANZAC Day 2014

Again this year I went to the local ANZAC Day service followed by attending the gathering at the local RSL. This year my brother joined my dad and I for the first time. Also this year I wanted to lay a wreath for the Thomas and the other 1st Battalion soliders of November 5th, something I haven't felt like doing for a few years - mainly because I had thought after the last time I laid one I wouldn't do it again until I could lay one at their memorial on the battlefield.

My wreath.

Instead of having something made, I made it myself (see the picture to the left). I made it out of Rosemary and tied the Battalion patch colours at the bottom.

Dad and I took it up the wreath and laid it on the memorial together.

I have to admit while doing this I was thinking that the next time I lay a wreath it will be in France over their graves (on the battlefield) - I hope. Mind you I still need to wait 2 years.

Wreath at the local memorial.

Developments

It has been a while since the last post. A few things have happened since then.

Some family members have contacted me and I have begun a memorial page on the website (http://www.november5th1916.350.com/). I have also completed and been sending out my research CD.

The new developments:

I have contacted my local federal MP and sent him my research CD and a short document (which I will post later) outlining why I believe our soldiers are buried (and still are) at/near the co-ordinates outside of Gueudecourt.

He passed everything onto the Australian War Graves and they took a look. They then passed it on to the Department of Defence History Unit who are in charge of locating/investigating unknown solider graves (they are dealing with Fromelle's right now).

Fingers cross they think it worthwhile to explore / acknowledge our soldiers, my dad asked for an investigation to see if in fact their bodies are still there, I asked for help to put a memorial up and/or recognition that they were buried there.

Denis McCarthy (who is helping me) on his last trip to France spoke to the Mayor of Gueudecourt about having a memorial erected for our soldiers. The Mayor didn't promise he would allow it, but promised to look in to the issue and see what he could do. It turns out the farmer fields where our soldiers were killed/buried belong to the Mayor.

The photo above was taken by Denis looking South West across Hilt Trench. Somewhere under these fields my great-grandfather and the others were/are buried.














The photo above was taken by Denis looking West along Hilt Trench becoming Bayonet Trench. Somewhere under these fields my great-grandfather and the others were/are buried.