Bacchus Marsh returned service men and women will be among those remembering thousands of soldiers killed and wounded in one of Australia’s deadliest conflicts.
A commemoration service will be held at Bacchus Marsh RSL on July 16 to mark the centenary of the Battle of Fromelles.
The World War I battle, intended to draw German troops away from the Somme offensive, was the first major conflict fought by Australian troops on the Western Front.
Troops of the 5th Australian and 61st British divisions attacked on July 19, 1916, suffering heavily at the hands of German machine- gunners.
More than 5000 Australian and 1500 British soldiers died in just 24 hours, while the German casualties were little more than 1000.
The service will start at 11am and a light lunch will be provided.
