Montbrehain, France - Centenary Commemoration.
100th Anniversary of the Battle of Montbrehain, France on 05 October 2018.
The last action involving Australian infantry on the Western Front in the First World War. Following the breaking of the Hindenburg Line, the attack on Montbrehain on 5 October 1918 represented an attempt to breach the final elaborate system of German defences based on the Beaurevoir trench line system. Advancing on the early morning of 5 October the 6th Brigade AIF succeeded in occupying the village and in the process took 400 German prisoners. The action claimed 430 Australian casualties.
Shrine Guard honoured in France
For more than 80 years, the Shrine Guard have protected the Shrine. This month, members of the Shrine Guard traveled to France to honour their own who helped liberate the small village of Montbrehain 100 years earlier during the last Australian-led action of the First World War on the Western Front. Among those valiant soldiers, drawn largely from Victoria, were original Shrine Guard's Lieutenant George Mawby Ingram, VC, MM and Private George Blyth, MM—Ingram receiving the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the campaign.
Wreath laying ceremony at the Monument aux Morts in the town center.
Five serving Shrine Guard were part of a ceremony for the official handover of a commemorative plaque signifying the bond that endures between the two nations.
A ceremony to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Montbrehain was held in Calvaire Cemetery, Montbrehain, France on 5 October 2018. The ceremony was organised by the local community with support from the Australian Defence Force.
