Pigs in Victoria Notice

7th Battalions Shrine Pilgrimage –

Sunday 7 August Lone Pine has always been of special significance to the 7th Bn – being remembered as a desperate and very costly battle, and for the awarding of VCs to four members of the battalion. In making this pilgrimage to The Shrine we are continuing the tradition started by 7th Battalion AIF shortly after World War One and observed by all the 7th battalions since then. This year is the 101st anniversary of the entry of the original 7th Bn into the battle at Lone Pine, on 8 August 1915.

Suoi Chau Pha – 106 Fd Bty: The date coincides with the anniversary of the Battle Suoi Chau Pha on 6 August 1967 and we’ve always used the Lone Pine ceremony to remember that battle too. So we are fortunate this year to be joined by veterans of 106 Field Battery – the gunners whose support was absolutely vital to the survival of our “A” Company at Suoi Chau Pha. 106 Fd Bty will be with us as part of their commemorations before the launch of the book about their service in Vietnam in 1967–68. They will be laying a wreath in honour of our fallen and they have invited us to join them for their book launch.

Timings: We’ll muster at 10:45am near the eternal flame for a start at 11am. And we should be away by about 11:20am. Those interested can lunch afterwards at Bells Hotel (our post-march venue on ANZAC Day this year) or can join our comrades of 106 Fd Bty at the Mail Exchange Hotel (corner of Burke & Spencer Sts, Melbourne). Neville “Nobby” Clark MC OAM will be launching their new book at that pub at 1pm.

Please let your mates know that this event is happening on 7 August – our email list is far from complete, so we rely on you to pass the word on to your mates. We hope to see lots of you (with your mates) at The Shrine.