Tom helps lay a wreath in 2008
Ten years ago my son Tom was chosen to go on an amazing trip to France to visit the Western Front as part of the premier’s ANZAC Tour. When he attended the dawn service at Villers-Bretonneux I watched on television back at home, and marvelled not just at my son being on the other side of the world, but also at the amazing connection between the small village of Villers-Bretonneux and the children of Australia.
It was a story I had only recently come to know, but it was also a story I knew needed to be shared so that it wouldn’t be forgotten.
That was the day that I sat down and drafted the story which would become my picture book Do Not Forget Australia.
Ten years later, and at last it is my turn to visit Villers-Bretonneux for myself. On ANZAC Day next week I’ll be attending the dawn service at the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux and later getting to see the school at the centre of the story for myself.
I’m excited. Watch this space for photos and a report.
I’ve packed a copy of the book.
This is a fascinating story, Sally. I can’t wait to hear about your travels.
So true about the parenting piece of your post. My son traveled to Italy when he was 15 for a school trip. Strange to think of my child in another country — a place I had never been!