“Following an expedition to Christmas Island conducted by a Navy-led team of experts, remains are being unearthed that may be those of a sailor from HMAS Sydney (II) that sank with 645 men aboard on 19 November 1941”, said the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Billson. The Navy expedition team composed of a senior Naval officer, an archaeologist, a forensic anthropologist and two forensic odontologists, located the remains very close to the position identified by witnesses to the original burial and also from a photograph taken in 1950 by Mr O’Shannassy.

“We are excavating remains in an unmarked grave in the Old European Cemetery that may be those of the unknown sailor from HMAS Sydney II. However, further work will need to be done to establish the characteristics of the skeleton, before we can be fully confident,” the team leader, Captain Jim Parsons said. “The process is long and painstaking, as the complete skeleton has to be exposed and recorded, and all dirt removed before any bones are removed. Even then, each bone must be carefully lifted to avoid breakages,” Captain Parsons said.

The Royal Australian Navy’s cruiser HMAS Sydney was lost, with its crew of 645 men aboard, following an action with the German raider Kormoran. Early in February 1942 a carley float life-raft containing a body was recovered close inshore at Christmas Island. There were no personal effects or identifying items on the body although the clothing was consistent with that worn by Naval sailors. The body was examined by a medical practitioner and formally buried with military honours, in the old European Cemetery on Christmas Island.

“Subsequent skeletal and dental analysis will be undertaken in Sydney to possibly identify the remains,” Mr Billson said.

Conducted at the Shellshear Museum of Physical Anthropology and Comparative Anatomy at the University of Sydney, a forensic pathologist will assist the team with the identification process. This will involve a physical examination of the remains and comparison with historical records. An attempt will also be made to recover DNA. “Every effort will be made to positively identify the remains, however we must be mindful that there are many difficulties with this process.

“Unfortunately, only just over half of the crew’s medical and dental records are available and these are from the time of enlistment, prior to the sinking of the vessel. All records current at the time were lost with the ship,” Mr Billson said. “With any undertaking of this type, the likelihood that the remains will be positively identified is low.” The subsequent burial location will depend on the level of identification achieved.