Fromelles Forensics

The archaeologists have now left the site of the dig at Pheasant Wood Fromelles and the earth has been returned to the burial pits. Their brief was to establish whether the remains of the Missing from the Battle of Fromelles had been buried there almost 92 years ago by the German army.

The archaeologists are now preparing a report for the Australian, British and French governments based on their finds.  The members of Glasgow University Archaeological Division (GUARD) were not the only scientists on site.

Dr Denise Donlon, forensic anthropologist, from the University of Sydney pictured below with Carole Liagnel from the F.W.T.M 14-18 (Fromelles Museum) was also on site.

Dr Donlon is the Curator of The J. L. Shellshear Museum of Physical Anthropology & Comparative Anatomy at the University of Sydney.  The university’s website states that one of the ‘Specific projects involve the identification of fragmented bone as human or non-human, sex determination of juvenile human skeletons and teeth…’

In April 2007 Dr Donlon formed part of the Army History Unit (AHU) team that accompanied Operation Aussies Home (OAH) to Vietnam in the successful search of missing Diggers from the Vietnam conflict. 

In the past twelve hours there have been no reports in the Australian media, to hand, but the article in yesterday’s Herald Sun by RSL National President Bill Crews entitled Let Digger’s Rest has prompted a wide range of comments. Including one from FFFAIF member and founder of Recovering Overseas Australian Missing Inc. (ROAM) Chris Bryett.

Chris states:There is a cheap standard test available to identify Diggers from Tommies called Strontium 90 it is a test of tooth enamel. DNA is reliable. We only have to look at the Zonnebeke 5 to see that all Diggers were DNA tested and 2 identified. Work continues to find the identity of the other 3. This is unique. We know the names of Diggers buried here. As descendant Tim Whitford said “They’ve been slung in there like yesterday’s garbage. They are not at peace.” Exhume them, test them and respectfully rebury them in that same field thanks to it’s donation by Mde de Massiet.

Other comments in response to Let Digger’s Rest can be read on the Herald Sun website where you also have the opportunity to add your own comments.Clicking here to read other comments and also add your own.

The Bundaberg NewsMail from Queensland Australia tells the story of the family of another missing digger from the Battle of Fromelles who hopes his final resting place has been found. Click here to read about the family of Private Alfred Thompson in Grave riddle to be solved.

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FROMELLES is NOT honoured on The Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney. FFFAIF supports the recognition of FROMELLES on all state memorials.