The French Village of Pozières, not far from Villers-Bretonneux, is home to a bitter fight which saw the deaths of thousands of Australian soldiers.

The Battle of Pozières resulted in the deaths of 23,000 Australians, in just the first six weeks.

The village was completely destroyed, including the local school before it was rebuilt in 1925.

80 years on, the school remains and now a new French-Australian primary school will be built and will act as a memorial to fallen soldiers.

Chris Smith speaks with John McColl OAM, Deputy Chairman of the Pozieres School Project.

Listen to the full interview below