Cemetery Update

The new Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery being built at Fromelles, in northern France, is well underway and on schedule for the reinterment of the soldiers whose remains were exhumed from the World War 1 burial pits at Pheasant Wood.

The military funerals which will take place for each of the British and Australian soldiers will commence on 30 January 2010.

For more details on the cemetery’s progress see the Australian Army Fromelles Project website by clicking here.

The following photos were taken by Mr Michael Holmes during a recent visit to the site on 21 October 2009. Michael has kindly consented to allowing FFFAIF to post the photos on this website. (©remains with Mr Holmes)

Photo: Overview of the site

Photo: Piles driven deep into ground to stabilise the site

Photo: Base of the Cross of Sacrifice under construction

Photo: Preparation of the burial plots

Photo: World War 1 relics unearthed during construction

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The Families and Friends of the First AIF applauds the joint Australian–UK decision, announced by The Hon Greg Combet AM MP and the Hon Kevan Jones MP, to conduct a full DNA testing program on the remains of Australian and British soldiers found in mass graves at Pheasant Wood (Fromelles), and for their continuing commitment to identify as many of the fallen as is possible. We also thank the Australian, UK and French governments for affording dignified individual reburials for these soldiers, buried by German soldiers following the Battle of Fromelles on 19/20 July 1916, in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery presently under construction at Fromelles.