Anzac Day was again celebrated in Hamel on April 25th, 2004. Municipality and inhabitants had the honour to receive members of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists. They had seized the opportunity of an international congress in Paris to visit the main Australian sites of the First World War and assist the ANZAC Day services. They had for guide Brigadier Kevin O' Brien. He was the ideal guide because of his knowledge of the Western Front and the Australian involvement. But also as a retired officer, he has numerous contacts in France especially in Hamel. He had coordinated the building of the Australian Corps Memorial Park of which he was one of the instigators. It explains that a ceremony was organized in this village.

At about 9 am in the morning, members of the ASA arrived and began a visit of the site made with the comments of their guide. The Australian doctors and their families and several people from the village were not the only ones to attend this service. Other persons were there. They had been invited or had found the event announced on the internet. The most remarkable presence was that of some Australian servicemen. The ceremony was not official and they had chosen to come to Hamel on their own. It is the two majors one can see on photos – they made an improvised guard of honour - and three young soldiers. Those ones, posted in Solomon Islands, had saved money to visit Europe and travelled only by train.

The ceremony happened classically after 9 am in the morning. It began with short speeches by Kevin O' Brien and Jim Bradley, president of the ASA, and of the Mayor of Hamel. Doctor John Taske, a Vietnam veteran, pronounced the ode. After the minute of silence, flowers were laid at the Remembrance Stone. Then, attendees went in the village on foot. A halt was made at the village Monument to the Dead of the village to remember locals died at war. Here, in his speech the mayor did not miss to point out that this April 25th was also the memorial day for the victims of the deportations.

Finally, a very friendly breakfast offered by the municipality and the inhabitants took place in the village hall. The visit of the Australians ended by an exchange of presents and congratulation speeches under the applauses of the assistance. The Australian guests then left towards Poziéres, Fromelles and Ypres to finish their European circuit. This ANZAC Day in Hamel left to the Australians as to French people a very good souvenir.
 

"Your village is inextricably linked forever with Australia and we all found it extremely moving to join with you and the people of Le Hamel for the memorial services at the Australian Corps Memorial park and in the village[...].It was very much our honour to be looked after by you and the village of Le Hamel. Thank you very much".

Quoted from 14 May 2004 thank you letter by Dr. Bradley to the Mayor.