The story of how the students who attend the Victoria School in the French village Villers-Bretonneux, have come to uphold the Anzac tradition in a similar manner to those at Singleton High captivated the large audience and most importantly culminated in a universal message expressed by guest speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Constable.

“Most of all Anzac Day stands as a reminder to us about the terrible costs of war so that we may never be the cause of such a mistake,” he said.

During his speech he explained the history behind the special relationship that has developed between the inhabitants of the picturesque village which lies just south of the river Somme and Australia.

“As a starting point for this discussion, it is important to understand where the bond between Villers Bretonneux and Australia was sparked.  It lies within the Somme region, the centre point for much of the savage trench fighting of the Great War.  The major capital for the region Amiens is not far away and with its strategically important railway links was of key importance to both the Allies and the Germans,” he said.

“Villers Bretonneux was captured by the Germans on April 23, 1918 and the British High Command were convinced this offensive was aimed at securing Amiens and that this could lead to a total German victory in the Great War.”

Subsequently the task to counter the attack was given to two Australian brigades and their attack commenced at 10pm on April, 24 1918, Lt Col Constable said.

“Despite heavy fighting, the Australians were successful and by dawn on the 25th, three years after the landings in Gallipoli, the Anzacs had linked up the east of Villers Bretonneux securing a new line between the village and the Germans, a key in ending the last great German offensive on the Somme.  In doing so however, 1200 Australian soldiers died saving the village.”

“Whilst it was the battles that started the bond, it was the generosity of the Australian people after the war in helping to rebuild the village that continued to strengthen it.”

The town had been completely destroyed and money was raised in Australia to help rebuild it, he said.

One of the buildings constructed with the funds was a school which he personally visited when travelling the battlefields of the first and second World Wars.

It was there that he spoke to local school children and realised just how strong the bond is, especially when he saw the words ‘Never Forget Australia’ emblazoned on the side of one of the schools buildings.

“They talked of their school links to the local Australian War Memorial much the same as the High School here maintains links with the School of Infantry,” he said.

“These children also talked of their involvement in acts of commemoration throughout the years but particularly around Anzac Day.  They talked with pride about attending school ceremonies, participating in town marches and activities and their studies of the Great War and the Anzacs. In all of this it was clear to me that the Anzac tradition was as important to them as it was to me.”

 In their actions to remember the Anzac traditions Villers Bretonneux is a school like us, he said.

And this of course was the theme of the service.

A service that Lt Col Constable said is the most comprehensive he has witnessed at any school in the state or overseas.

“It’s fantastic to see how much respect the students show for the Anzac tradition,” he said.