2026 ANZAC Day Lunch

Montbrehain - the Beaurevoir Line - 5th October 1918

The Battle of Montbrehain was the last action involving Australian infantry on the Western Front in the First World War. Following the breach of the Hindenburg Line at the end of September in 1918, the attack on Montbrehain on 5 October 1918 finally broke the elaborate system of German defences based on the Beaurevoir trench line system.

After the successes of 3rd and 5th Divisions in breaching the Hindenberg line they were taken out of the line to rest. The 6^th Brigade of the 2nd Australian Division entered the line for the Battle of Montbrehain.

On the misty morning of 5 October, the assault battalions – 21st and 24th Battalion’s bolstered by Pioneers from 2nd Pioneer Battalion fighting as Infantry – attacked uphill from the little village of Ramicourt across five hundred metres of fire-swept ground. “They scrambled through barbed wire entanglements, captured trenches, cleared dugouts and repeatedly assaulted machine gun positions” according the 24th Battalion Diary. By capturing Montbrehain and holding it against determined German counter attacks the much vaunted Hindenburg Line was completely broken.

The brigade succeeded in occupying the village and in the process took more than 600 German prisoners. The action claimed 430 Australian casualties. The highly successful attack is considered to be one of the greatest Australian actions of the war. The defence of this sector was then handed over to Americans troops, while the Australians, exhausted and depleted, were withdrawn for a rest.

Our Speaker: Dr Rob Webster OAM

Rob was born in Melbourne. His father served in the RAN during WW2 and his mother in the Australian Women’s Army Corps. In 1969 he was conscripted into the Australian Army and he subsequently served in Vietnam with HQ 26 Transport Company, RAASC. His brother, a regular soldier, served in Vietnam with 110 Sig Sqn, RA Sigs.

Rob completed qualifications in Accounting (Swinburne), Land Valuation (RMIT) and Business Administration (RMIT & Victoria Uni).

For the majority of his working life he was an academic at RMIT as a Lecturer and later Program Director in the School of Property, Construction and Project Management.

Shortly before he retired from RMIT Rob completed a Doctor of Business Administration degree with his thesis on the “decision making processes of transport companies when selecting a warehouse location”. A bit of a labour of love – that combined property analysis, investment evaluation and managerial decision making.

Many of you will know Rob as a long term member of the RSL. He was appointed the President of the Victorian Branch of the RSL in 2017 and he retired at the end of May 2025 after 35 years with the Victorian RSL State Branch. He had previously served as the Honorary State Treasurer, Vice President and Senior Vice President. He makes the comment that he is the only person conscripted twice – first by the government and the second time by Bruce Ruxton!

Rob was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2017 for services to veterans and the community of Victoria.

Rob was invited to France in October 2018 for the Centenary of the Battle of Montbrehain, along with a contingent from the Shrine Guard and representatives of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. He will explain the links between the Shrine Guard and the Battle of Montbrehain in his discussion today.

In 2025 Rob was awarded The Monash Medal from the Rotary Club of Melbourne and his presentation today is a further development of a speech that he made in August 2025.

Rob has 4 adult children – scattered in Melbourne, Hobart and Canberra and 6 grandchildren.

His hobbies are reading, genealogy and generally taking it easy.

Dress: Uniform or Men - Lounge suit / Jacket and Tie, and Ladies - Day Dress and medals.

Cost: $75 per person, includes 2 course luncheon.

Beverages: Beverages are available at the cash bar.

Bookings: Bookings are necessary and guests are very welcome. You do not have to be an RACV Club Member to book. 

RSVP: When booking use the link below:

CLICK HERE TO BOOK VIA RACV CLUB WEBSITE

Please advise any dietary requirements or special needs.