Australian soldiers help restore chalk landmark

A huge chalk flag carved into a Wiltshire hillside has been restored by Australian soldiers and volunteers ahead of an Anzac Day ceremony.

The Map of Australia, near Compton Chamberlayne, was carved into the grassy downland in 1917 by soldiers of the Australian Imperial Force who were based at the nearby Hurdcott Camp during World War One.

It has been restored ahead of Anzac Day, a national day of remembrance for all Australians and New Zealanders who have fought and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions.

Lieutenant Colonel Fabian Harrison, of the Australian Army, said the day was "very special" to his team which is currently based in the UK to train Ukrainian Army recruits.

"On the eve of Anzac Day it is very special today for us as Australians to come over and see the legacy of those who came before us," he said.

"There's a wonderful group of local volunteers that have helped keep this alive and it's great to come and connect with them and hear stories from locals who still have a lineage of stories from when Australian troops were stationed there."

Lieutenant Harrison was joined by volunteers from the Map of Australia Trust, set up in July 2017, who maintain the flag and research the history of Australian and New Zealand soldiers in the region.

Helen Roberts, trustee of the group, said: "The presence of the Australians is felt particularly in the village of Compton Chamberlayne.

"Lots of soldiers discharged from hospital would come to places like Hurdcott Camp and would try and recover, sadly to go [straight] back out to battle.

"Lots of new recruits would come to camp straight from trains in Plymouth.

"They would go to Dinton station and there was a little military railway - which was temporary during that First World War era - which would take them up to Fovant.

"Then they would march along the road to Hurdcott."

The Map of Australia flag, visible from the road, underwent a major restoration in 2018 ahead of Armistice Day, following work between the trust and Historic England.

The Map of Australia Trust will hold its Anzac Day service on the hillside above Compton Chamberlayne on Saturday.

Roberts said it would be a "special day" for everyone involved.

"It is a time to reflect on the service given by so many… that never made it home," she said.

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