The British Army in Heilly.

The Allied occupation of the village changed over the course of the war, in line with troop movements as soldiers were redeployed to other sections of the front. Thus, from the spring of 1918 onwards, the village was occupied by Australian troops. Heilly continued to serve as a rest and recuperation area for the soldiers. In this photograph, we can see Australian soldiers returning from the baths, which were set up in the village’s old mill a short distance away.

A cemetery was even laid out in the castle gardens. At the end of the war, the graves were moved to the cemetery at Ribemont-sur-Ancre.

In the second photograph taken in July 1918, we can see two models sitting on a bench at Heilly station. Written on the suitcase are the words: ‘I want to go home, George.’ This message, addressed to King George V of England, reflects the weariness of the soldiers who had been fighting for four years.