Australian Memorial Park facts for kids

The Australian Memorial Park is a special place in Fromelles, France. It remembers the brave Australian soldiers who lost their lives during a big battle called the Battle of Fromelles in World War I.

Where to Find the Park

This park is about 200 meters (about 650 feet) from another important place, the V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial. You'll find it on the same road, heading towards the village of Fromelles in France.

The park is built where the German army's lines used to be during the battle. You can still see some old army defenses there. The V.C. Corner cemetery is where the Allied (friendly) forces were.

When the Park Was Opened

The Australian Memorial Park was officially opened on July 5, 1998. Bruce Scott, who was Australia's Minister for Veterans' Affairs at the time, led the ceremony. The Minister for Veterans' Affairs is like a government leader who helps people who have served in the military.

Ian McLachlan, Australia's Minister for Defence, was also there. The Minister for Defence is in charge of the country's military. This opening was part of events celebrating 80 years since World War I ended.

French and Australian soldiers formed a special guard of honor. Hundreds of people from both countries came to the opening.

The Cobbers Sculpture

The Cobbers sculpture

A very important part of the park is a sculpture called Cobbers. It was made in 1998 by Peter Corlett. The sculpture shows Sergeant Simon Fraser, an Australian soldier, helping a wounded friend. He is pulling his friend out of "No Man's Land" after the battle. "No Man's Land" was the dangerous area between the two armies.

A copy of this sculpture is also at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia. The name Cobbers comes from a letter Sergeant Fraser wrote after the battle. In Australia, "cobber" means a good friend.

Here's a part of what he wrote:

We found a fine haul of wounded and brought them in; but it was not where I heard this fellow calling, so I had another shot for it, and came across a splendid specimen of humanity trying to wriggle into a trench with a big wound in his thigh. He was about 14 stone weight, and I could not lift him on my back; but I managed to get him into an old trench, and told him to lie quiet while I got a stretcher. Then another man about 30 yards out sang out "Don’t forget me, cobber." I went in and got four volunteers with stretchers, and we got both men in safely.

Many events are held at the Memorial Park to remember the soldiers. For example, on May 9, 2009, a special service marked 94 years since the Battle of Aubers Ridge. On July 19, 2009, another service remembered 93 years since the Battle of Fromelles.

See Also

• Battle of Fromelles
• V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial