Friday re-burials

On Friday the re-burial of 34 soldiers killed at the Battle of Fromelles whose remains were recovered from the burial pits at Pheasant Wood continued in showery and cold weather. 

Carole Laignel is pictured with members of the Australian Army Federation Guard who provided the Australian component of the Bearer Parties.

Carole Laignel, FFFAIF member and Secretary, Fromelles Museum (Fromelles Weppes Terre de Mémoire 1914-1918)  has provided a photographic record of some of the re-burials on the morning of Friday 5 February 2010.  The re-burials continue to follow the Commonwealth War Graves Commission The Order of Service for the re-burial of soldiers killed in the Battle of Fromelles 19 July at Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery available for download on their website remembering Fromelles.

Re-burials commenced near the Cross of Sacrifice, where members of the Royal British Legion provided an honour guard.

The Bearer Party awaited the arrival of hearse to receive the coffins.

The Bearer Party marched to the hearse to receive the coffins.

The Chaplain led the Bearer Party and coffin to the graveside where she recited a prayer as the Bearer Party lowered the coffin into the grave.

The grave was then covered.

This part of the service was followed for the re-burial of 18 soldiers during the morning.  This photo report was sent by Carole before a further 16 re-burials had taken place in the afternoon and before the Close of Day had been completed.

Once again we would like to record our appreciation for the efforts of Carole in providing photo reports of the re-burial services.

FFFAIF would also like to thank the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Fromelles Management Board, the Australian Fromelles Project Group, the Office of Australian War Graves, the members of the Australian Federation Guard and the Chaplains and their support groups as well as their British counterparts for the professional and dignified conduct of the re-burials.