Fromelles, 110 years on: Stories and Objects from the National Collection

On 19 July 1916, Australians troops attacked at Fromelles with disastrous results. The Australians suffered a shocking 5,500 casualties – their greatest losses in a single day. It was a harsh lesson about the scale and intensity of warfare on the Western Front.

Learn through articles and stories

The battle is over. My brave boys have done all that man could do. 

Brigadier General Harold Edward "Pompey" Elliott, in a letter to his family

Brigadier General Harold Edward “Pompey” Elliott commanded the newly formed 15th Brigade at the Battle of Fromelles. Having predicted that the attack would fail, he was deeply affected by the devastating losses suffered by his men.

Read the letters 

Screenshot of Transcribe website

Visit the AWM's Transcribe website to read Pompey's letters for a personal insight into the impact of the battle.

Discover the photographs 

 

The remains of a shell damaged farm on the Fromelles battlefield, an area in which the 5th Australian Division suffered heavy casualties in an attack on 19 July 1916.

Explore the photographs from Battle of Fromelles held our National Collection.

View the historical objects

Improvised trench sign 'TRENCH N 92, BAY 12' : Fromelles, Franc
This sign was found in British trenches from which both the Australians and British advanced in their attack on Fromelles on 19 July 1916.

 

Discover the items and objects from Fromelles held by the AWM. 

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