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ANZAC Day 2008

29 April 2008
Federation Guard on duty in France

Australia's Federation Guard performed ceremonial duties at a series of five services around the Somme in honour of the French ANZAC Day Community Commemorations 2008, beginning at the Villers-Bretonneux Australian National Memorial on 26 April 2008.

The crowd of more than 2500 people witnessed a service similarto the Dawn Service the previous day, commemorating the Australian ANZAC Day ceremony.

This year, an Australian Defence Force contingent from Australia's Federation Guard (AFG), supported by members from the Australian Army Band, provided ceremonial services for the French ANZAC Day Community Commemorations on 26 April 2008.

The ceremonies took place at the Australian National Memorial Villers-Bretonneux, the French Monument in the town centre of Villers-Bretonneux, the Square du Souvenir Français Bullecourt, Australian "Digger Memorial and the "La Crux" in Bullecourt. The services coincided with the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux.

Villers-Bretonneux was the most important of a series of battles fought by Australians that resisted German attacks on the Somme in the first half of 1918.
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Private Campbell Myers and Trooper Clint Gordon, from Australia's Federation Guard, march down the isle prior to taking up their positions as part of the Catafalque Party at a ceremony held at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial in France.

(Date taken: 26 April 2008)
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Australia's Federation Guard member Private Rhiannon Brown stands at the "Rest on Arms" position during a moving ceremony at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France.

(Date taken: 26 April 2008)
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The Honourable Alan Griffin MP, Minister for Veterans' Affairs, lays a wreath at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France during a moving ceremony.

(Date taken: 26 April 2008)
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Pigeons are released in a sign of peace during a ceremony at the Australian Diggers Memorial in Bullecourt, France.

(Date taken: 26 April 2008)
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Lieutenant Liz Quinn, Australia's Federation Guard Commander, stands at ease during a ceremony at the Australian Diggers Memorial in Bullecourt, France.

(Date taken: 26 April 2008)
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