The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has provided a copy of The Order of Service for the re-burial of soldiers killed in the Battle of Fromelles 19 July at Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery on their website remembering Fromelles. The burial services which will take place throughout February will follow a similar order to the first service which took place on Saturday 30th January 2010.
FFFAIF member and Secretary, Fromelles Museum (Fromelles Weppes Terre de Mémoire 1914-1918), Carole Laignel has provided the following photographs of the first of service.
The Master of Ceremonies for the service was Lieutenant Colonel James Brownlie, Australian Army.
The Officers and men of The Australian Army and 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers provided the Ceremonial Guard for the service.
Members of the Royal British Legion and l’Union Nationale des Combattants (UNC) were present at the Service.
Weather conditions varied throughout the service.
The Reverend Catie Inches-Ogden, Chaplain to the Australian Army and The Reverend Patrick Irwin, Senior Chaplain, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe conducted the re-burial.
Following the burial, tributes were made to the fallen by representatives from the United Kingdom, Australian and French governments, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Photo: Australian Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, The Hon. Alan Griffin
Photo: Mayor of Fromelles, Monsieur Hubert Huchett
Following the ceremony a reception was hosted by the Mayor of Fromelles.
FFFAIF members Anny DeDecker, Carole Laignel and Johan Durnez attended the service.
Many thanks Carole for all the great photos.
Johan’s account of the service can be read in RECENT NEWS Item: Fromelles burials begin
*****
More photos are being sent from our members ‘on the ground’ and will be added to the website. Please call back later to have a look.
*****
The Families and Friends of the First AIF applauds the joint Australian–UK decision 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 with services commencing on 30th January 2010.