The Musée de la Mémoire de Fromelles is a small museum in the village of Fromelles in the Nord department of Hauts-de-France, on Rue de la Basse Ville. It tells the story of the Battle of Fromelles, fought on 19 and 20 July 1916, when the Australian 5th Division and the British 61st Division attacked German positions in a diversionary action while the Battle of the Somme was under way. The assault failed with very heavy losses, and the Australian 5th Division suffered more than 5,000 casualties in one night, the worst 24 hours in Australian military history. The museum presents the battle, the life of soldiers on both sides of the line, and the later consequences for the village, which was largely destroyed in the war. Displays include personal belongings, uniforms, weapons, photographs and documents found in the surrounding fields, as well as maps and audiovisual material that place the battle in the wider context of 1916. The curatorial approach is chronological and local: it begins with the arrival of the armies in the Flemish plain and moves through the preparations, the attack and the aftermath. A significant section describes the 2008-2010 archaeological search that located mass graves at Pheasant Wood, where German troops had buried Australian and British dead after the battle. The remains of 250 soldiers were exhumed and reburied individually, and in 2010 the Commonwealth War Graves Commission dedicated Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, the first new Commonwealth war cemetery built in decades. Nearby, visitors can also see the VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, the Fromelles Memorial Park and the sculpture Cobbers by Peter Corlett, which honours a rescue by Australian soldiers. The museum, which opened in the 2010s, is compact, in good repair and managed by the local community. A visit typically takes about 45 to 60 minutes, and most visitors combine it with a walk or drive to the nearby cemeteries and memorials. English-language interpretation is available because of the strong Australian and British interest.
| Admission | €5 / ~$5.40 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Wed–Mon 09:30–17:30 |
| Address | Rue de la Basse Ville, 59249 Fromelles |
Why it matters
Fromelles was the site of the first major action by Australian forces on the Western Front, on 19-20 July 1916, in which more than 5,000 Australian soldiers became casualties in a single night. The village later became the focus of the recovery and reburial of missing soldiers in 2009-2010.
Location
Rue de la Basse Ville, 59249 Fromelles
50.6004, 2.8456 View on map
Highlights
- Follow the chronology of the 19-20 July 1916 battle through artefacts and maps
- Learn how the Pheasant Wood mass graves were found and identified in 2009-2010
- Visit Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery close to the museum
- See the Cobbers sculpture and VC Corner Australian Cemetery in the area
Tips for visiting
- Allow 45 to 60 minutes for the museum, then another hour for the cemeteries and memorials.
- Visit the museum first to understand the battle before walking the sites.
- Check opening times in advance, as the museum is small and may close for events.
- Bring a car or bicycle, since the cemeteries and memorials are spread across fields near the village.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fromelles museum English-language friendly?
Yes. Information is available in English as well as French, reflecting the large number of Australian and British visitors.
How long does a visit take?
The museum itself takes about 45 to 60 minutes. Including the nearby cemeteries and memorials, plan on two hours.
Can you visit with kids?
Children can visit, though the content concerns heavy casualties and mass graves. Parents may wish to choose what to show younger children.