THE victorious Battle of Messines on World War I’s Western Front will be the focus of this year’s annual Reserve Forces Day service in Wagga on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On June 7, 1917, massive mine blasts underneath enemy positions killed 10,000 Germans instantly and signalled an Allied offensive that involved the Australian 3rd Division.
“It was the first time the German casualties outnumbered the Allied forces,” said John Ploenges, chairman of the Riverina Forces Day Council, which is organising Sunday’s service.
“You could feel it was the breath of fresh air that was needed.”
A number of Wagga district men fought at Messines, including Donald Stewart Fraser.
Corporal Fraser was “runner” who was awarded the Military Medal for maintaining communications under heavy fire. He died in 1961, aged 70, and is buried in the Wagga Monumental Cemetery.
The public is invited to Sunday’s service, which will be held in the Victory Memorial Gardens at 11am.
