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The Anzac Portal
Visiting the Windmill
- Location
- Pozières is a village 6 kilometres north-east of the town of Albert. The Windmill site is just outside Pozières on the D929 in the direction of Bapaume and to the left shortly after leaving the village.
- Latitude
- 50.044794 (50° 2' 41.26" N)
- Longitude
- 2.73654 (02° 44' 11.54" E)
Fell more thickly
The Australian War Memorial’s Windmill site, Pozières. [DVA]
At the heart of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra is a small scattering of the soil of France. It lies on the coffin of the Unknown Australian Soldier in his tomb in the centre of the Hall of Memory. It was cast there on 11 November 1993 by a World War I veteran of the Western Front, Robert Comb, during the funeral ceremony for the Unknown Soldier, a soldier whose body had lain in a war cemetery in France for years. As Robert cast that symbolic piece of France into the tomb, he was heard to say: 'Now you're home, mate'.
World War I veteran, Robert Comb, sprinkles soil brought from the Windmill site, Pozières, over the coffin of Australia’s Unknown Soldier, 11 November 1993. [DVA]
That soil came from the Windmill site just outside Pozières on the D929 and to the left shortly after leaving the village in the direction of Bapaume. Cut in stone at the site are these words:
The ruin of Pozières windmill which lies here was the centre of the struggles in this part of the Somme battlefield in July and August 1916. It was captured on 4th August by Australian troops, who fell more thickly on this ridge than any other.
Commemorative inscription, Windmill site, Pozières. [DVA]
The Australian Imperial Force 'Rising Sun' badge, Windmill site, Pozières. [DVA]
The second line of this dedication is a slight reworking of the words of Charles Bean who wrote:
The Windmill site—bought later (1932) by the Australian War Memorial Board—marks a ridge more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other spot on earth.
[Charles Bean, Anzac to Amiens, Canberra, 1983, p.284]
In the fighting at Pozières, around the Windmill and northwards along the ridge towards Mouquet Farm, the AIF suffered more than 23 000 casualties in litle more than six weeks, between 23 July and 5 September 1916. Of these casualties, nearly 7000 were killed, had died of wounds or were 'missing'.
Road sign on the D929 just before Pozières indicating the position of the front line on 1 September 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. [DVA]
Visible from the Windmill along the road eastwards towards Bapaume is a tall red marker. It states that here was the front line on 1 September 1916. Just a kilometre or so away across the fields to the north–west lie the modern farm buildings of Mouquet Farm and about a kilometre back down the road through Pozières is the First Division Memorial. Here the eye can take in a small area where, in just over six weeks, 23,000 Australians became casualties of war.
King reviews troops on Salisbury Plain [AWM F00071]
This silent film deals with a review of Australian troops on Salisbury Plain in England. The AIF had training camps and hospital depots on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, between 1916 and 1919.
King George V reviews Australian troops on Salisbury Plain. The king decorates Australian heroes of Pozieres in the presence of the Australian High Commissioner.
Text description
[On a black screen the words "Pathé Gazette are flanked by two cockerels silhouetted in white circles. Above, text reads, "The King Reviews Australian Troops. Impressive scenes on Salisbury Plain."
Hundreds of troops stand in ranks on a plain. A row of officers stand to attention a short distance in front of them. The King rids with a dozen horsemen past the parade. One rider carries a flag. At the end of the row, an Australian soldier sits on horseback. As the King's group passes, his horse turns skittish. He brings it under control. The King and officers sit on horseback on a large field. As horsemen ride past the king, they salute. One flies a flag. Long ranks of soldiers on horseback parade past. A dark dog wanders out past the King. Soldiers wait in the far side of the field as horsemen ride past. The King salutes as ranks of soldiers in slouch hats wheel bicycles past. Australian soldiers steer horse-drawn carts past the king. The rider bringing up the rear salutes. Ranks of six-horse teams parade past, pulling carts.
A short distance from the King, a soldier flies a flag as hundreds of soldiers march past in neat rows. As they march in unison, the soldiers keep their faces turned towards the King. Beyond the field, hills loom. At the base of the slopes, white smoke rises from buildings. A portly officer sits to the King's right. He speaks with the officer standing beside him. The King has a neat beard. His dark horse moves forward a few steps. The King salutes each group of passing soldiers. HIs horse stamps its front hooves. The parading soldiers hold their rifles on their left shoulders at a slight backwards angle. They parade between the King and assembled soldiers. Between two groups, men on horses ride. The horsemen salute the king. Two-horse teams draw carts. Two soldiers are seated on each cart. Horsemen ride alongside. A horseman rides a short distance in front of infantry ranks. He salutes the King. The King salutes the parade. The portly officer gestures. An officer brings over a document, and shows it to him. The King points toward the parade and speaks to the portly officer.
Text card: Honours For The Brave. The King decorates Australian heroes of Pozieres in presence of High Commissioner.
Soldiers and civilians stand gathered behind ropes near an open space. A few soldiers stand on an elevated platform. In the open area the King stands talking with a stately man who wears a bowler hat and a long dark coat. Officers stand near a table. An Australian in his slouch hat stands to attention. The King steps over, pins a medal to the soldier's uniform then shakes his hand. The soldier steps back, salutes, then turns away. He wears his backpack. One by one, soldiers march up to the King and salute. The King pins medals above the left chest pockets of their uniform, then speaks with them and shakes their hands.
The Rising Sun badge appears in white on a black screen. A semicircle of sword and bayonet blades arches over a crown. Below, two curved scrolls read "Australian Commonwealth Military".]