LIMITED EXCAVATION OF SUSPECTED WORLD WAR ONE BURIAL SITE NEAR FROMELLES

Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon Warren Snowdon MP, today announced that a limited excavation of a suspected World War One group burial site will take place near Fromelles, France in April this year.

It is believed that the remains of up to 400 Australian and British soldiers who fought in the battle of Fromelles during July 1916 were not recovered by battlefield clearance teams at the conclusion of World War One and may still be buried at the site.

Mr Snowdon said the limited excavation will be carried out by the Glasgow University Archaeological Division (GUARD), the same team who undertook a non-invasive survey of the site in May 2007.

“GUARD was appointed by the Department of Defence following a recommendation from Nigel Steele, the Co-Secretary to the British All Party Parliamentary War Graves and Battlefield Heritage Group," Mr Snowdon said.

“The limited excavation work GUARD undertakes will determine, beyond doubt, the presence or otherwise of remains at the site as well as provide information on the quantity and condition of any remains.

“The work is being planned under the auspices of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with approval of French authorities and the local land owner, and assistance is being sought from the British Government.”

Mr Snowdon commended the work of the Friends of the Fifteenth Brigade Association, a Melbourne group led by Mr Lambis Englezos, who first located the possible burial site.

“I also commend the cooperation of the French authorities which have been sensitive to Australian efforts to fully investigate the site,” Mr Snowdon said.

Should the presence of remains be confirmed, any decision to proceed with a recovery operation will be subject to agreement from French and British authorities.

Media contact:

Minister Snowdon – Kate Sieper,         0488 484 689

Defence Media Liaison:                        02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664