World War 1, Western Australia, 2187 HIGGINS, 51 Battalion, 1916

The 51st Battalion, formed in Egypt in March 1916, was comprised of Gallipoli veterans from the 11th Battalion and fresh recruits from Western Australia, joining the 13th Brigade of the 4th Australian Division. They arrived in France in June 1916, facing heavy casualties at Mouquet Farm. Throughout 1917, they participated in various battles including Messines and Polygon Wood in Belgium. In early 1918, they defended positions around Dernancourt, crucially repelling a German attack in April. On the eve of ANZAC Day, they launched a legendary assault on Villers-Bretonneux. Later that year, they were active in the Allies' offensive and participated in the attack on the Hindenburg outpost line in September. After the Armistice in November 1918, men began returning to Australia, and by May 1919, the battalion disbanded.