Five sets of remains of World War I veterans found recently near Zonnebeke on the Western Front in Belgium have been confirmed as those of Australians the Minister for Veterans' Affairs Bruce Billson said today. The remains were discovered on the outskirts of the hamlet of Westhoeck in late August and early September during gas line excavation works. Australians fought in this area in 1917 during the 3rd Battle of Ypres, commonly referred to as the Battle of Passchendaele.

The Australian Office of War Graves has received an historical and archaeological report titled Missing in Flanders, which was prepared by the Memorial Museum Passchendaele. Mr Billson said the report confirms that the five sets of remains are those of Australian soldiers. Four of the sets of remains had been wrapped in blankets and one in a groundsheet indicating they had been part of a deliberate battlefield burial. "The remains were found with items of clothing and insignia that are typically Australian, including leather boots, a pair of corded trousers and a jacket. Nationality was further confirmed by the finding of 'rising sun' collar badges and 'Australia' shoulder titles," he said.

"One uniform had the circular colour patch of the 4th Division, but it is not possible without scientific analysis to discern the colours in the patch that might identify a particular unit." Few personal possessions were found with the remains, however, a field dressing an aniline pencil, a pocket knife and a small pen knife were recovered from the excavation site. The report will now go to the Australian Army, which will conduct further investigations in relation to possible identification. This would typically involve studies of any available military records, medical, dental and burial records.

A detailed forensic examination of the remains will also be overseen by Belgian War Graves Commission. This process may determine approximate ages of the soldiers and causes of death. "I am hopeful that the next steps will provide some further insight into the stories of these men, however, the prospect of individual identification is extremely low," Mr Billson said. "These men paid the ultimate price while serving the interests of our nation and once investigations are complete they will be laid to rest, beside their mates, in a war cemetery in Belgium, with the dignity and respect they deserve."