FROMELLES DIGGERS TO BE GIVEN INDIVIDUAL BURIALS

Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon Warren Snowdon MP, today announced that the Australian and British Governments will seek to have the remains of their World War I soldiers – buried in mass graves near Fromelles in 1916 – exhumed and given individual burials with military honours.

Mr Snowdon today made the joint announcement with Mr Derek Twigg, British Under-Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans.  It follows the limited excavation of the Pheasant Wood site in May this year, when the Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD) confirmed that human remains were present and assessed their condition, number and nationality.

“The Australian and British Governments have agreed that individual military burial is the most fitting way to commemorate our brave soldiers, and will ensure the heroism they showed in the terrible battle of Fromelles will be remembered and revered,” said Mr Snowdon.

“Should these remains have been discovered by post-war battlefield clearance teams in 1919, the war dead would have been re-interred with individual headstones; our men are no less deserving of that honour and dignity today.”

Planning work will begin immediately, and subject to the approval of French authorities and with the support of the people of Fromelles, a timeframe for the recovery of remains will be announced later this year.  Future work, including the significant task of preparing a war cemetery, will be undertaken under the auspices of Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

“Whilst acquisition of the land near Pheasant Wood for a permanent war cemetery is a Commonwealth War Graves Commission responsibility, we acknowledge the generous offer of land by the owner of the mass burial site, Madame Demassiet, and will consider the needs of all parties including the tenant farmer in this process.”

Work is underway to confirm the names of those believed buried at the Pheasant Wood site, and the Australian and British Governments have agreed to equally share the costs of research, exhumation and reburial.

Details on the Fromelles research and limited excavation are available online at www.defence.gov.au/fromelles.  Members of the public who believe their relative may be buried at Fromelles are encouraged to register their details at the website or via the Fromelles Public Inquiries line: 1800 019 090.

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):           02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Defence Media Liaison:                         02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664