History
Back to NewsroomCommemorating the Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin
On 2 September 2026, Péronne held a commemorative service marking the anniversary of the Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin. Part of the Hundred Days Offensive in 1918, the battle involved troops from the 2nd Division of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), who contributed to the liberation of the hill and the town.
Each year, a commemorative service is held at the 2nd Australian Division Memorial in Péronne to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin. The Director of the Sir John Monash Centre, Mr Benjamin Daetwyler, attended the service and laid a wreath on behalf of the Australian Government.
From 31 August to 3 September 1918, speared by the 2nd Australian Division, the Australians launched an assault on Mont Saint-Quentin. While the initial assault succeeded in driving the Germans from the high ground, the hill changed hand several times over the course of the battle before, finally being secured by Australian forces on 1 September.
The Capture of Mont Saint-Quentin allowed Australin forces to break into a subsequently capture the town of Perone, located at the foot of Mont Saint-Quentin.
During these battles, no fewer than eight Victoria Crosses (the highest honour a Commonwealth soldier could receive) were awarded. Robert Mactier, originally from Tatura in the State of Victoria received a posthumous Victoria Cross for he single-handedly neutralising German positions that had been holding up the Australian advance near it’s start line. Robert Mactier became one of the over 3,000 Australian casualties, being killed later in the battle.
Before the services attendees had the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the Mount Saint-Quentin battlefield with the Haute Somme Tourism Office.
After the service, the Historial of Péronne offered a screening of the documentary La Somme, un champ de bataille qui n’a jamais disparu (The Somme: a battlefield that never disappeared), produced by Youtuber Nota Bene.
Finally, the afternoon of commemorative events concluded with a performance by the Musique de infantrie of Lille, which also provided musical accompaniment throughout the day.
Throughout the year, the Sir John Monash Centre team is honoured to take part in these local commemorations, which maintain the enduring ties between France and Australia through the shared memory of the First World War. On 1 July 2026, the Sir John Monash Centre also attended commemorations marking the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
