Representatives of the Trust, Bucks branches of the Royal British Legion, and a group from The Lee were all present at a centenary commemoration in France of the Battle of Fromelles on Sunday 17 July. Organised with the communities of Fromelles and Fleurbaix, a ceremony was held at Le Trou Aid Post, at which wreaths were laid by the Chairman of the Trust, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Wilkinson, who is also County President of the RBL. The ceremony was followed by refreshments and a visit to the new Fromelles Museum, where the Trust has ensured that the sacrifice of the 61st (South Midland) Division is reflected alongside that of the Australians. In the evening, there was a concert in Fleurbaix church, playing music by composers who were participants in the Somme campaign, many of whom were killed. Representatives of the Trust also laid a wreath in commemoration of the 2/1st Bucks Battalion at the Rue du Bois Cemetery, which contains the bodies of an estimated 52 unidentified members of the battalion.
On Monday 18 July, representatives of the Trust then visited Pozieres British Military Cemetery on the Somme to lay a wreath in commemoration of the members of the 1/1st Bucks Battalion lost in the operations of the 48th (South Midland) Division around Pozieres between 21 and 23 July 1916.
An offical county party led by the Lord Lieutenant, Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, Bt. was also present at the Australian-dominated commemoration at Fromelles on Tuesday 19 July, the actual anniversary of the battle there.
For Bucks TV’s film of the events, see www.buckstv.co.uk/centenary-commemoration-of-the-battle-of-fromelles-2016/
