wounded soldiers

1920What became of the other unknown soldiers that were considered for selection of a French 'Soldat Inconnu' in 1920?

In November 1920, eight unidentified soldiers from the Western Front were brought to Verdun to select the French 'Soldat Inconnu' for burial beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris—a powerful tribute to all those "Mort pour la France." While one was chosen to represent France's unknown dead, the seven remaining were reverently interred in the 'Section of the Seven Unknowns' (Carré des sept Inconnus) at Verdun’s Faubourg-Pavé cemetery. Their solemn procession through the city, attended by military, civil, and local communities, marked a unique act of national remembrance. Each grave is inscribed with "Soldat français inconnu mort pour la France," and since 2014, a Remembrance Flame burns there, honoring their sacrifice for generations to come.

1916What does the term Cobber represent to Australian troops?

The 'Cobbers' Memorial stands at the Australian Memorial Park in Fromelles, France, a poignant site that honours the Australian soldiers who fought and died during the catastrophic Battle of Fromelles in 1916. This memorial is significant for symbolising the unwavering camaraderie and bravery of Australian troops, encapsulated in the term “cobber”—meaning mate—especially as they risked their lives to rescue wounded comrades from No Man’s Land. Unveiled in July 1998 for the 80th anniversary of World War I’s end, the bronze statue immortalises the heroism of Sergeant Simon Fraser, who famously returned under fire to save fellow soldiers after hearing a call for help: “Don’t forget me, cobber.” Each year, on July 19, Australians reflect on the over 5,500 casualties suffered in a single night, a toll nearly equal to the combined losses in the Boer, Korean, and Vietnam Wars.