The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Depicts a view of the town of Albert, in March 1917, with the badly damaged Notre Dame de Brebières in the foreground and rows of covered trucks stationed in front of the ruin. In 1915 the Germans had bombed the church as the tower offered a strategic vantage point to the British. The tower was not completely destroyed, but the statue of the Virgin Mary was damaged and became known as the "Leaning Virgin". There was a popular legend that the war would end when she fell; her 'diving' posture inspired Australians to name her 'Fanny' for the Australian world champion swimmer Fanny Durack. In 1918 Albert was in German hands and the statue was destroyed by British artillery on 16 April to protect their soldiers from machine gunners in the tower.
Will Dyson was the first Australian official war artist to visit the front during the First World War, travelling to France in December 1916, remaining there until May 1917, making records of the Australian involvement in the war. He was formally appointed as an official war artist, attached to the AIF, in May 1917, working in France and London throughout the war. His commission was terminated in March 1920.
The Albert Cathedral, also known as Basilique d'Albert or Basilique Notre-Dame de Brebières in the town of Albert, Somme. The Albert Cathedral was described as being quite beautiful, with a tower much
The ruins of the Basilica of Notre Dame de Brebieres at Albert. The scene of the leaning Virgin, which was supposed by the French to foretell the end of the war if it fell. It collapsed during opera
Albert is a town in the Somme in northern France; it is located about halfway between Amiens and Bapaume. Depicted here is the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Brebieres with war damaged buildings nearby. At
Ruined basilique (church with special privileges from the Pope) at Albert on the River Somme, France. A view of the bomb-damaged church of Notre Dame de Brebieres, with the damaged virgin hanging on i
Albert, France. c. 1917. The war damaged Basilica of Notre Dame de Brebieres at Albert with the statue of Madonna in a precarious position on top of the spire. Canadian soldiers with a horse drawn veh
Albert, France. c. 1916. The war damaged spire of the Basilica of Notre Dame de Brebieres at Albert topped by a statue of the leaning Madonna. (Donor British Official Photograph C403)
