Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media Backgrounder
The Battle of Fromelles
The Battle of Fromelles was the Australian Imperial Force’s (AIF’s) first major action
on the Western Front during the First World War. On 19 July 1916, in less than 24
hours, the AIF’s 5th Division suffered more than 5,500 casualties, with almost 2,000
killed in action or dying as a result of their wounds, and some 400 captured.
The attack was a feint, designed to keep German reserves in the Fromelles area. On
the morning of 19 July, Allied artillery commenced a bombardment of the strongly
fortified German lines.
Unfortunately, the artillery failed to destroy key targets during the barrage and Allied
forces were subjected to heavy enemy fire as they attempted to cross no man’s land.
The Australians who reached and overcame the first line of German defences quickly
became disoriented, as their objectives proved impossible to locate.
Despite heavy losses, orders to withdraw were not issued until 7:50am on 20 July,
with some small groups not receiving or believing them, resulting in many more
casualties. Following the battle, an informal truce was arranged and many Australian
wounded were rescued from no man’s land.
Many of the men who died during the Battle of Fromelles, including more than 400
unknown soldiers, are buried in the VC Corner Australian Cemetery. In 2008, a
mass grave was uncovered at Pheasant Wood, near Fromelles. The remains of 250
Australian and British soldiers who had died at Fromelles were exhumed and
reburied with military honours at the newly constructed Fromelles (Pheasant Wood)
Military Cemetery in 2010.
Battle of Fromelles Museum
To assist visitors to understand Australia’s role and the service and sacrifice of Allied
soldiers during the Battle of Fromelles, the Australian Government has contributed
more than $1 million to the construction of a new Musée de la Bataille de Fromelles
(Battle of Fromelles Museum), adjacent to the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military
Cemetery.
The museum tells the story of the Battle of Fromelles, taking visitors on a journey
from the carnage of the battle through to the recovery and identification of missing
soldiers nearly one hundred years later. It incorporates many artefacts formerly
housed in the Fromelles Mairie (Town Hall).
Focal points of the museum include:
 Recreations of the German and Allied trenches incorporating wood and metal
from the original fortifications at Fromelles in 1916.
 A visual projection of a map describing the battle and the subsequent
withdrawal.
 A vast array of artefacts, including uniforms, weapons, and personal items
recovered from the battlefield.
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A display explaining the archaeological dig at the Pheasant Wood mass grave
and the subsequent process of identification.
Personal items recovered from the dig.
Fast Facts
Battle Of Fromelles
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19 July 1916
5th Australian Division, 61st British Division
More than 5,500 Australian casualties, including almost 2,000 killed in action or
died as a result of their wounds
Some 400 taken as prisoners of war
1,547 British casualties
Location
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Fromelles is located in the north of France, about 16 kilometres west of Lille.
The VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial can be found along the Rue
Delvas, 3 km from Fromelles.
The Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery is located on the Rue de la
Biette, 1 km from Fromelles. The Battle of Fromelles Museum can be found
adjacent to the cemetery.
Commemoration
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250 Australian and British soldiers are buried in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood)
Military Cemetery. To date 144 Australians have been identified: two British
soldiers and 67 Australians remain unidentified. Another 37 headstones are
inscribed with “A Soldier of the Great War – Known unto God”.
400 Australian soldiers are also buried in the VC Corner Australian Cemetery.
The names of more than 1000 missing Australian soldiers are listed on the
memorial in VC Corner.
More Information
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Australian Remembrance Trail along the Western Front:
www.ww1westernfront.gov.au
www.dva.gov.au/art.htm
For more information contact: Department of Veterans’ Affairs Media
Email: dvamedia@dva.gov.au
Phone: +61 (0) 2 6289 6203
www.dva.gov.au
July 2014