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1917

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1914
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1917
1918
Remembering them

"The guns just bang and boom away incessantly. The noise is deafening…We hope this cruel warfare will soon end." 
Lieutenant Wilfred Barlow

Mud and destruction

Throughout 1917 allied hopes of victory were continually dashed. Early on, the Germans withdrew to a new position: the Hindenburg Line. But here, as on the Marne, at Arras or in Flanders, appalling allied casualties mounted as they battered against these new defences.

During the year the Americans joined the allied cause, but the Russians were on the way out. Ultimately, both these events would profoundly affect the course of the war. For the Australians on the Western Front, 1917 was simply more of the same: bloody battles and terrible losses. It was to be their costliest year of the war.

Australian Field Artillery using an 18-pounder gun
Read more about Bullecourt
Identity discs issued to a prisoner of war

Prisoners of war

Read more about prisoners of war
Australian soldiers at Messines in July 1917
Read more about Messines
Soldiers wearing their gas respirators

Gas

Read more about gas
Australian troops walking along a duckboard track near Zonnebeke

Passchendaele

Read more about Passchendaele
Mrs Hester Allen and her four children

Missing in action

Read more about Privates Robert and Stephen Allen

Last updated: 17 October 2019

1 The Donations and bequests

Donations & Bequests

Your generous donation will be used to ensure the memory of our Defence Forces and what they have done for us, and what they continue to do for our freedom remains – today and into the future.

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2 Visit Transcribe.awm.gov.au

Transcribe

Help preserve Australia's history by transcribing records from the National Collection. Enhance accessibility and discoverability for all Australians.

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The placesofpride

Places of Pride

Places of Pride, the National Register of War Memorials, is a new initiative designed to record the locations and photographs of every publicly accessible memorial across Australia.

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Visit the Australian War Memorial

Visit the Australian War Memorial

The Australian War Memorial is open for visitors as we work to expand our galleries. Entry is free and tickets are not required.

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Canberra Highlands in Grayscale

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF
TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.
Location map of The Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial building

The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue
Campbell ACT 2612
Australia
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The Australian War Memorial

Fairbairn Avenue

Campbell ACT 2612

Australia

 

Opening Hours

10 am to 4 pm daily (except Christmas Day)

 

In preparation for the daily Last Post Ceremony,

galleries are progressively closed from 3:40 pm.

 

Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612

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