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NEWS |
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Dateline
- June 13, 2008
Confirmed:
British soldiers buried beside diggers in Fromelles |
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The discovery
of two British General Service buttons at the limited excavation
of a group burial site in Fromelles confirms that fallen British
First World War soldiers have lain beside their Australian comrades
for almost 92 years. Minister for Defence Science and Personnel,
the Hon Warren Snowdon, said the discovery provides physical confirmation
of the findings from both the historical and non-invasive research
carried out earlier in the investigative process. “We now
have artifacts that show we have uncovered the remains of both
British and Australian soldiers in Fromelles, which makes this
a very significant site for both nations,” Minister Snowdon
said.
The find follows the unearthing of two Australian Rising Sun collar
badges earlier this week, as well as several items of Commonwealth
equipment which were used by soldiers of both nationalities during
the First World War. “The unearthing of two British General
Service buttons is an important find, similar to the discovery
of Rising Sun badges for Australia, and we join with the British
Ministry of Defence in welcoming the news.” Once assessments
and research is complete, the Australian Government will be presented
with a Report from the project contractor, Glasgow University
Archaeological Research Division (GUARD), and will need to consider
the next step in consultation with other authorities.
“This discovery highlights the need to continue our close
working relationship with the British and French Governments as
well as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, and cements the
need to reach a bilateral decision regarding the future of the
site.” Skeletal human remains were first encountered at the
site on the second day of excavation, 27 May 2008, and have now
been uncovered in all five of the pits expected to contain human
remains and an adjacent sixth pit in which body parts have been
found.
Researchers on site estimate numbers buried at the site may reach
as high as several hundred with a summary of numbers and condition
of the remains to be released following completion of the excavation.
The excavation is scheduled to conclude on Friday 13 June with
a small, local ceremony planned to mark the closing of this phase
and the significance of the find.
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