A Defence investigation team will travel to Papua New Guinea (PNG) next month on a mission to identify possible World War II human remains stored at the Defence Section of the Port Moresby High Commission, and to excavate two alleged graves of Australian soldiers in Buna and Esologo.

A preliminary team examined the graves in November last year, following anecdotal reports from locals, and assessed them as being likely to contain the remains of Australian soldiers. The investigation team, which comprises a Forensic Anthropologist, Archaeologist and several Forensic Odontologists, will excavate the graves and any remains will be recovered, identified if possible, and re-interred with dignity. In addition, while in PNG, the team will study several sets of remains currently stored at the Defence Section of the High Commission.

It is an accepted convention to store remains in overseas missions pending possible identification and preparation of graves at the nearest War Cemetery. The remains are believed to have been recovered from along the Sanananda and Kokoda Track during the past 12 years and the team will conduct the difficult and detailed forensic work required to solve the mystery of their identity.

Because of the length of time involved in the storage of the remains, Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, has ordered an inquiry into the precise circumstances of how the remains were recovered and handed into the High Commission. Among other matters, he is concerned to ensure that all future remains are re-interred in a timely manner.

The ADF is committed to honouring the memory of its war dead, and all remains are treated with dignity and respect.