Welcome to the official website of the
Families and Friends of the First AIF
Work continues on the new cemetery being constructed at Fromelles by the CommonwealthWar Graves Commission. See photographs of the work in progress in RECENT NEWS Item: Cemetery Update.
75 years to the day after its official dedication by the Duke of Gloucester on 24 November 1934, the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney was re-opened after an 18 month restoration and refurbishment program. See photographs of this special ceremony in RECENT NEWS Item: ANZAC Memorial Sydney.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is undertaking trials in four cemeteries on the Western Front of different approaches to landscaping in anticipation of climate change and is seeking feedback on these. See photographs of The Railway Chateau Cemetery located close to Ieper in RECENT NEWS Item: CWGC Trial!! and submit your comments to the CWGC.
Winner of the Australian Victoria Cross, Trooper Mark Donaldson VC, visited Fromelles and the battlefields of the Great War following his recent audience with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, and participation in the Remembrance Day service at Westminster Abbey. See photographs in RECENT NEWS Item: VC winner in Fromelles.
A number of interesting links to information on the Fromelles archaeological dig to recover the bodies of British and Australian soldiers buried by the German army at Pheasant Wood after the Battle of Fromelles fought on 19 July 1916 are included in RECENT NEWS Item: Fromelles Updates
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The Families and Friends of First AIF inaugural Commemorative Tour will spend 14 days on the Battlefields of the Western Front from 14th July – 27th July 2010. Find out more in RECENT NEWS Item: FFFAIF 2010 Tour, Tour Update and Tour Filling Fast!!!!!!
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Interested in becoming a member of the Families and Friends of the First AIF? Click here for details.
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Did you know that all the RECENT NEWS items which have been posted on the website are still available for you to read? They are stored under Past News and can be accessed by either:
Using the Search Field located on the top right of web page (near the Member’s Area tab). Simply enter the topic you are searching for in the search field at the top of the screen and click enter.
OR
By using the PAST NEWS drop down menu, located below the FFFAIF Photo strip, on the right hand side of this page.
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2 December 1914 First Australian military aircraft despatched to war.
3 December 1914 First AIF disembarked in Egypt
3 December 1915 Siege of Kut begins in Mesopotamia.
7 December 1915 Evacuation of ANZAC troops from Gallipoli begins.
9 December 1917 Jerusalem occupied by the Desert Mounted Corps.
12 December 1917 HMAS Australia damaged in a collision with HMS Repulse.
13 December 1915 Australian Light Horse fight at Um Rakham.
20 December 1915 Last Australian troops evacuated from Gallipoli.
20 December 1917 Second conscription referendum held in Australia.
21 December 1916 Australian Light Horse capture El Arish
23 December 1916 Battle of Magdhaba, northern Sinai
31 December 1914 The second convoy of the First AIF departed Albany Western Australia.
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To find out more about the FFFAIF simply click on the tabs at the top of each page and then explore each of the sub-pages for more details.
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Disclaimer
The website is under periodical review and changes may occur to the content without notice.
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All website information (i.e. the images, graphics, text etc) on our website are all copyright © Families and Friends of the First AIF Incorporated (FFFAIF Inc.) or its individual Members.
The Families and Friends of the First AIF applauds the joint Australian–UK decision, announced by The Hon Greg Combet AM MP and the Hon Kevan Jones MP, to conduct a full DNA testing program on the remains of Australian and British soldiers found in mass graves at Pheasant Wood (Fromelles), and for their continuing commitment to identify as many of the fallen as is possible. We also thank the Australian, UK and French governments for affording dignified individual reburials for these soldiers, buried by German soldiers following the Battle of Fromelles on 19/20 July 1916, in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery presently under construction at Fromelles.
