Anzac Day Dawn Service, Villers-Bretonneux

The Western Front Association supports the annual Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux. The service is organised by the Australian Government and commemorates the Anzac landings at Gallipoli and the more than 295,000 Australians who served on the Western Front during the First World War.

Attendance pass required

All attendees must register in advance for a free attendance pass. Photographic ID (passport, driver's licence or national identity card) must be presented with the pass on arrival. Entry will not be permitted otherwise. Registration and full event information are available on the Department of Veterans' Affairs website.

Key times

2.30am – site opens
4am – pre-service programme begins
4.45am – last shuttle departs the Public Car Park
5.30am – Dawn Service begins
6.30am – Dawn Service concludes
9am – last return shuttle departs the memorial

Practical information

• No parking is available at the memorial. A free park-and-ride shuttle operates from the Public Car Park at 1 Rue de la Gare (D168), Villers-Bretonneux, from 1.30am.
• Pedestrians may walk to the memorial along illuminated paths: 45 minutes (3.7km) from Villers-Bretonneux, or 30 minutes (2km) from Corbie or Fouilloy.
• Road closures will be in place around Corbie, Fouilloy and Villers-Bretonneux on 24 and 25 April.
• The service is held outdoors with no shelter or seating infrastructure. Dress for cold and potentially wet conditions. Umbrellas are not permitted; ponchos will be available in wet weather.
• It may take up to 90 minutes for all attendees to leave the site after the service – please factor this into onward travel arrangements.
• Dress: military – uniform with medals; civilian – business attire.