Before the outbreak of the First World War, it was unlikely many Australians had heard of places such as Fromelles… Pozières … Bullecourt… Messines … Ypres … Villers-Bretonneux … Hamel … Amiens … and Mont St. Quentin.
Yet, by war's end, these faraway lands were the final resting place for so many Australian soldiers.
More than 400,000 Australians enlisted for service in the First World War and more than 320,000 of those served overseas. Almost 60,000 Australians made the ultimate sacrifice during the war - 46,000 of them were killed here on the Western Front.
It is hard to fathom the picturesque scenery we see today was once a hellish landscape featuring some of the fiercest fighting in the First World War.
Australian historian, Peter Burness, once wrote that "for several weeks Pozières became the focus of the Somme fighting and the worst place to be on earth".
Lieutenant Osma Voy Richardson of the 48th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force took part in the Battle of Pozières.
The battalion entered the battle on the 5th of August 1916.
They came under constant and severe artillery bombardment.
Shells relentlessly rained down on them, killing, maiming and shocking.
Lieutenant Richardson was one of those men. He was killed in action, after just two days in battle, on the 7th of August 1916.
He was 24 years old.
His body was not recovered. His final resting place is 'known unto God'.
His name is on this memorial to my left, with his mates from the 48th Battalion, and is one of over 10,000 names commemorated here at this monument.
His story is infinitely precious to me, just like the story of all our sailors, soldiers and aviators are infinitely precious to their families.
Lieutenant Osma Voy Richardson was my great-grandfather's older brother. His family mourned his death for the rest of their lives.
Today, as we remember the service and sacrifice of those Australians who have served in war, let us also remember the sacrifice of their families.
Let us remember the sacrifice of the Ayers family of New South Wales who lost two of their sons here on the Western Front - An all too common, tragic story.
Speaking of the loss of their second son who was killed, in a message the parents placed in the Sydney Morning Herald, they said: "Too dearly loved to be forgotten."
Let us also remember the courage and bravery of the local French people.
When Squadron Leader Francis Smith, of Number 2 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, was shot down behind enemy lines in northern France in November 1918, locals, including an old woman and priest, risked their lives to shelter him from the pursuit of German soldiers, as he walked the 40 miles back to safety.
At a time when the Western Front was 'the worst place to be on earth', the best of humankind became the light in the dark.
Just months before the war ended, in July 1918, the Prime Minister of France, Georges Clémenceau visited Australian troops.
He said to them:
"We knew you would fight a real fight, but we did not know that from the very beginning you would astonish the whole Continent with your valour."
This Anzac Day, as we stand here before the break of dawn, in the peaceful quiet dark, let us turn our minds to the carnage and horror of war, and remember the courage that rose to defeat it.
This Anzac Day, as we recount stories of bravery, loyalty and mateship - the making of the Anzac Spirit - let us remember the men and women to whom we owe our enduring freedoms.
At a local school here in Villers-Bretonneux, there is a plaque that reads:
"May the memory of great sacrifices in common cause keep France and Australia together forever in bonds of friendship and mutual esteem."
Today, Australia and France stand side-by-side in the safekeeping of peace. We continue to work together to prevent future conflict and prevent the immeasurable pain inflicted by war.
That is how we best honour the great sacrifices of the First and Second World Wars.
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.
