Tragedy as French mayor who helped rebuild his village into a home for brave Australian soldiers who died defending it during WWI passes away from coronavirus
- Villers-Bretonneux Major Patrick Simon died on Wednesday from coronavirus
- He was was awarded the honorary Order of Australia medal in 2015
- Anzac Day commemorations are annually observed in the northern French town
- The Australian National Memorial sits outside the town, honouring Australians
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
A French mayor who turned his village into a home for brave Australian soldiers has died after contracting coronavirus seven weeks ago.
Anzac Day commemorations are observed in the northern French town each year, to mourn the thousands of Australians who died in battle there during World War I.
Mayor of Villers-Bretonneux Patrick Simon (left, with former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, right) died on Wednesday after contracting coronavirus
The conflict destroyed the village but communities in Australia helped raise money to rebuild following the war.
Streets like ‘Rue de Melbourne’ are named in honour of the country and a sign reading ‘Do Not Forget Australia’ hangs at the local school.
The Australian National Memorial sits just outside the town, honouring the Australian soldiers who fought and died in France and Belgium.
Major Simon, who led the village for the past 12 years, presided over Anzac services.
He also helped organise a fundraiser for victims of Australia’s catastrophic bushfire season.
Australia’s ambassador to France Brendan Berne said Major Simon opened his town to all Australians at all times, but especially on Anzac Day.
Patrick Simon (left) is presented with an Akubra hat after the refurbished museum at the Victoria School in the village of Villers-Bretonneux, France, is opened on April 24, 2017
‘I’ve seen many Aussies deeply touched by the warmth of his welcome,’ he said.
‘Patrick embodied the French ‘duty to remember’ when it came to the Anzacs and their legacy.
‘He was part of our embassy family and we will be there for his wife and community.’
Madame Simon released a statement on behalf of the family.
‘My husband, our father, this hero. The fight was so uneven, this disease is vicious, unpredictable and little known,’ it read.
‘After seven weeks of hard struggle, my husband, our father, passed away this Wednesday, May 13.
‘We accompanied him and surrounded him until he went to watch over us from a more peaceful place, passing him all the love he gave us.
‘We have been touched by all your messages and thoughts that helped us in this ordeal.’
More than 170,000 people in France have contracted COVID-19 and at least 27,000 have died from the virus.
Anzac Day commemorations are observed in the northern French town each year, to mourn the thousands of Australians who died in battle there during World War I. Pictured: People walk past graves at the Australian War Memorial in the northern French city of Villers-Bretonneux on Anzac Day, 2019