Australia’s First Memoir 44 National Champion at 9 years of Age!

The final of the Memoir 44 Australian national competition for 2013 was held in Brisbane on the 17th November 2013 and was taken out by Luke van Someren, who is just nine years old! Luke played six scenarios against a field of players aged 30+ and won every game. His father, Ross, has previously won two Brisbane based Memoir tournaments but didn’t fare well in this competition. However, his son certainly cleaned up, winning himself WWII model figures, the Band of Brothers Pacific DVD set (which Luke’s Dad says he will keep for Luke until he’s a bit older!) and Luke’s most coveted prize – a framed certificate awarding him the title of five-star general, signed off by Richard Borg.

The national final featured an all-Pacific theatre of scenarios and competitors had to play both axis and allied forces in all games. Luke fought his way into the final round where he faced Anthony Dyson-Reilly in the “Meatgrinder” scenario and won convincingly commanding both Japanese and US forces.

This wraps up the 2013 season in Australia which saw tournaments running in three states, culminating in Brisbane which has a large M44 following.

Our next major event kicks off in February 2013 at the League of Extraordinary Gamers tourament weekend, “Legends of Summer”. The M44 tournament at Legends will be an all-Eastern front affair.
Luke’s victory in 2013 demonstrates that Memoir 44 is a game for all ages. Its mechanics are simple and its subtle strategies can be learned and exploited after a few sessions.
Congratulations Luke and thanks to Days of Wonder and Richard Borg for their support in 2013.

Written by Keith Done (M44 tournament co-ordinator 2013)