Ceremonies to commemorate one hundred years since the first Australian soldiers were killed in Belgium during World War One (WWI) were held on 17 June 2016 in Flanders and Canberra (Australia). Privates Beaumont Jeffreys Philpott and James Jackson Mollison were reportedly coming off a scouting patrol in Messines on 17 June 1916 when they were killed during artillery and gas shelling.

In Flanders, wreath laying ceremonies were held at the soldiers’ graves. The Last Post Association’s evening ceremony at Mein Gate in Ypres/Ieper on 17 June will also be dedicated to the two men. In Australia the soldiers’ sacrifice will be commemorated on the same day at a ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, which will include the ‘Last Post’. 

Draft schedule for Commemorations in Flanders

• 11:00-11:20: Wreath laying at the grave of PTE Mollison, La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Comines-Warneton
• 11:40-12:00: Wreath laying at the grave of PTE Philpott, Dranoutre Military Cemetery, Dranouter, Heuvelland
• 20:00: Last Post Association’s nightly ceremony at Menin Gate, Ypres/Ieper

Some photos from the ceremony at Dranoutre Military Cemetery




















































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