Remembrance Day observances across the Bundaberg Region assumed greater significance this week with a visit in the lead up to November 11 by the mayor of the French town of Vignacourt.
Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor, Jack Dempsey said Mayor Stephane Ducrotoy had travelled to the region to discuss the linkages that exist between this French community and the wartime experiences of local World War 1 servicemen.
Mayor Dempsey said Vignacourt, although close to the site of the infamous Battles of the Somme fought 100 years ago, had been regarded a place of refuge for soldiers either preparing for or recovering from action on the front line.
“The town was also home to a French couple who provided a photographic service for soldiers wishing to send an image or keepsake back home.
“It is quite amazing that in 2010 around 3000 images of soldiers including 800 Australians were discovered and became known as the Lost Diggers of Vignacourt.’
Mayor Dempsey said Bundaberg had forged a great relationship with the community of Vignacourt with local schools at Bargara and Childers involved in a tribute program.
“Among the soldiers identified in the rediscovered images are two Childers brothers William and Thomas See and this has proven to be a powerful catalyst for the involvement of schools in Childers.
“This is a special relationship that highlights a place and time where men from this district served their country gallantly. Vignacourt is not simply a faraway placename on a map but provides a tangible relevance that we and future generations can relate to and embrace.”
During his visit Mayor Ducrotoy officially opened a special exhibition at the Childers Library titled “Vignacourt Remembered”.
A special highlight of the visit was the formalisation of a Friendship Agreement between Bundaberg and Vignacourt and the opportunities that will emerge from that agreement.
