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*Battle of Amiens Commemorative Ceremony - Tickets for Australian Descendants
The Battle of Amiens is one of a number of important events being marked in 2018 as part of the First World War centenary commemorations.
The Battle of Amiens took place on 8 August 1918, involving Australian, Canadian, British, French, and US forces. The subsequent Last 100 Days was a period of Allied advances, resulting in the signing of the Armistice on 11th November.
- Commemorations in France
To mark this important centenary, there will be a commemorative event in Amiens Cathedral in Amiens, France, at 15:00 local time on Wednesday 8 August 2018. The event is being led by the UK Government in partnership with the Governments of Australia, Canada, France and the United States of America.
- Taking part
The Australian Embassy has 50 tickets (25 double passes) to attend the event for Australian descendants of those who fought in the Battle and in the war on the Western Front during 1918.
- Obtaining a ticket
Tickets to the event are free. Attendees are responsible for all of their own personal transportation and accommodation arrangements and costs to enable them to arrive in Amiens on Wednesday 8 August 2018 to attend the ceremony. The 50 tickets will be issued as 25 double passes and allocated to Australian applicants on a ‘first in’ basis until all of the tickets have been issued.
- To Apply
To apply for a ticket send an email to centenary.commemoration@dfat.gov.au
All applications must have the following information:
- Full Name of Applicant *
- Nationality of Applicant
- Date and Place of Birth
- Passport Number
- Current Residential Address
*Note: As the tickets are issued as double passes the same information must be submitted for the applicant’s guest.
Ticket applications will close on 30 May 2018, unless all tickets have already been issued. All applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application as soon as possible.
- Descendant stories
Do you have a personal connection to the Battle of Amiens or to the subsequent Last 100 Days?
We are keen to hear from relatives of members of the Australian Imperial Force who served in France. If you have a story/information to share please include it with your application email.
*2018 commemoration ceremony dates, and local community events
Find out about the broad range of events organised by local French communities in the Somme throughout the year.
They always love to see Australians at their events!
Download the calendar here
*Launch of the Sir John Monash Centre Website
The official Sir John Monash Centre website – www.sjmc.gov.au – is now live. It provides all the information required to plan a visit to the Centre such as opening hours, how to get there, and what to expect from a visit – including how visitors will use their own mobile device in conjunction with the SJMC App and free Wi-Fi as a virtual tour guide to the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, the Australian National Memorial, and the SJMC. The website is available in English, in French and in Dutch.
Visitors to the SJMC website are recommended to select the option to register for updates. Those who register will be notified when new features are added to the site – such as news articles, additional language versions for international visitors, and a booking system. Bookings will be essential for groups wishing to visit the Centre.
Explore the Sir John Monash Centre website.
*Online registration for commemorative services in 2018
The Anzac Day commemorations for 2017 are now completed. The Australian Embassy would like to thank all of the hard workers in the local communities who helped with the events and to all the public who attended. We have already started preparing for 2018.
You can already register your attendance at https://overseascommemorations.ticketek.com.au/
The online registration for the following commemorative services are already open:
- Centenary of the Battle of Le Hamel - 4 July 2018
- Centenary of the First World War Armistice, Villers-Bretonneux - 11 November 2018
*The Franco-Australian Museum in Villers-Bretonneux, France
The Franco-Australian Museum in Villers-Bretonneux, France was officially reopened on 24 April 2017 by the Hon Dan Tehan M.P., Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, and Dr. Patrick Simon, A.O., Mayor of Villers-Bretonneux.
The Franco-Australian Museum and school redevelopment project embodied the collaborative spirit of the Australian Remembrance Trail. The Australian Government jointly funded the renovation of the building and museum with the town of Villers-Bretonneux, the Conseil General de la Somme and the Region FRAPP. The Villers-Bretonneux school was originally rebuilt after the First World War with funds raised by Victorian schoolchildren
The museum tells the story of Australia's involvement in the area through a large collection of objects, letters, photos, videos and memorabilia and is a symbol and record of the longstanding relationship between Australia and Villers-Bretonneux. Thanks to its refurbished premises, the museum has more objects on display today than ever before. The Australian Government is proud to have supported this project to ensure that both the collection and this legacy have been protected and enhanced for future generations to experience and appreciate.