Category Archives: Diggers of First AIF

9 Fromelles Diggers named

DNA tests have identified nine more soldiers killed in the Battle of Fromelles on 19th July, 1916. The graves of these soldiers will now be given their identity in the Pheasant Wood, Fromelles Cemetery. Their names are: Private Leonard Broadhurst (3013) , Sydney, … Continue reading

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Fromelles ID Board Reconvenes

On the 23 March 2012 the third annual United Kingdom and Australian Joint Identification Board will convene in London in an effort to formally identify some of the remaining 140 unknown soldiers who are buried in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) … Continue reading

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Bapaume Honour Roll

A Roll of Honour Plaque will be dedicated on 26 March 2011 in Bapaume to the men of the AIF who were killed on March 25/26 1917 in an explosion in Bapaume Town Hall. Photo: Privates Charles Neild and Alexander … Continue reading

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Brothers In Arms

Johan Vanderwalle, co-author of Beneath Flanders Fields – The Tunneller’s War, is visiting Australia in a quest to honour the fallen Diggers of the Great War. Photo: Johan Vanderwalle and Lambis Engelzos In 2007 Johan played a key role in the … Continue reading

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Smithy's Anniversary

Charles Kingsford Smith 1897 – 1935 This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the death of one of Australia’s most famous aviators – Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. Many recognize him as the face on the A$20 note but few know … Continue reading

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Unit History help

FFFAIF member Stuart Curry is researching the 13th Field Artillery Brigade and the 14th Machine Gun Company (5th Division) with a view to completing the writing of their unit histories. To help in telling the story of the men who … Continue reading

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Fromelles' Dedication

Bright sunshine and clear blue skies shone over the northern French village of Fromelles on the 19th July 2010, the 94th Anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles, as more than 5,500 people gathered to witness the burial of the 250th … Continue reading

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*Bible to Fromelles

The Families and Friends of the First AIF have assisted the family of Private Henry Mayer to have his New Testament, given to him in World War 1, present at the dedication of the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Cemetery and family graveside … Continue reading

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2 more identified!!

The ABC News has reported on Wednesday 7 July 2010: DNA tests reveal identities of Fromelles soldiers Researchers have identified two more Australian soldiers who died at the Battle of Fromelles in Northern France during World War I. Veterans’ Affairs … Continue reading

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*Plugstreet Digger's ID

The Australian Digger found in August 2008, still carrying his full kit and holding his rifle, 91 years after he was killed on the Western Front in Belgium has been identified. The co-director of the project Richard Osgood said: ‘Extensive detective work … Continue reading

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