The battle of Fromelles – 19/20 July 1916 fought by the 5th Australian Division and the 61st (2nd Midland) Division described as "the worst 24 hours in Australia's entire history". The Australian Division suffered over 5,500 casualties in their first action on the Western Front. The Cobbers Memorial stands in the Australian Memorial Park, perched on the old German front line. It represents Sergeant Simon Fraser who helped recover wounded men from No Mans Land during the battle, it represents strength in adversity and the one thing the Australians had in bucket loads – ‘Mateship’.

By Paul Colbourne, SGWT Battlefield Guide