Melbourne: Over the Top

Posted on 14/04/2010 by FFFAIF

Join FFFAIF member Chris Bryett at The Shrine of Remembrance Melbourne on Friday 16th April at 2pm as he presents the tales of Harry Harnett from the Great War.

Harry Hartnett joined the Australian Imperial Force in September 1915 at the age of 23. He saw action on the Western Front at Fromelles and on the Somme. Harry’s diaries, which were edited for publication by Chris Bryett, recall the battles, the long marches and the many amusing events that provided escape from the horrors of the battlefront.

Contact The Shrine of Remembrance for further details by clicking here.

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Fromelles Coin issued

Posted on 14/04/2010 by FFFAIF

The Royal Australian Mint this month issued a collectible 20 cent coin commemorating Australia’s Lost Soldiers of Fromelles.

 

The announcement was made in a joint media release the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Nick Sherry, and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs:
“This coin is a continuation of the Mint’s Australia Remembers series, exploring our nation’s war experiences and military history behind and beyond the battlefields,” the Assistant Treasurer said.
“The coin design is based on the Cobbers statue which stands in the Australian Memorial Park at Fromelles.
The design features a circle enclosing an artist’s impression of the Cobbers statue and, to the right, the inscription ‘20’.
Outside of the circle are the inscriptions ‘Australia Remembers’ and ‘Lost Soldiers of Fromelles’,” the Assistant Treasurer said.
The Cobbers statue by Melbourne sculptor Peter Corlett was unveiled at the former battlefield in France in 1998 and a replica is installed at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne…… The Royal Australian Mint’s 2010 Australia Remembers project was completed in association with the Australian Army Fromelles Project Group and the Office of Australian War Graves.

The coin can be ordered on line at the Royal Mint by clicking here.

On Tuesday 20th April, to celebrate the release of the Australia’s Lost Soldiers of Fromelles 20cent coin, the Royal Mint, Canberra is hosting an address by Lambis Englezos AM, Richard Wright, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology, University of Sydney and Senior Forensic Advisor to Oxford Archaeology, and Lieutenant Colonel James Brownlie, Project Manager, Australian Fromelles Project Group. The address will commence at 11:00am in the Education Room, Royal Australian Mint.

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Fromelles' IDs & graves

Posted on 14/04/2010 by FFFAIF

Fromelles Cemetery Layout, Photos and Updates 31 March 2010
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Remembering Fromelles website and the Australian Army Fromelles Project Group (AFPG) website have both been updated following the release of the names of the soldiers identified as being buried by the German Army near Pheasant Wood following the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916. RECENT NEWS Item: Fromelles layout, photos provides links to updated photos and the layout of the new CWGC Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery showing the burial positions for the named and un-named Australians, un-named British and remaining unidentified soldiers.  Some analysis is included and the benefits of collecting additional DNA samples from relatives are highlighted.

Photo: Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery – turf in front of Plot I, 9 March 2010 [CWGC]

List of Soldiers’ names released Wednesday 17 March: 
Media reports updated as at Wednesday 31 March  

Families of soldiers whose remains were recovered from the burial pits at Pheasant Wood and whose identities have been established by the Fromelles Joint Identification Board have been receiving phone advice with written advice being provided by mail as confirmation. From the 250 sets of remains recovered, 203 have been identified as Australians, 3 as British and 44 cannot currently be attributed to either Army.  Of the 203 Australians, 75 of these have been positively identified by name. A media report indicates that “Viable DNA has been obtained from all but about six sets of remains, with testing on samples to continue until 2014.” The list of the soldiers whose identities have been confirmed was released on Wednesday 17 March.
See RECENT NEWS Item: Fromelles list of names for the Ministerial Release and links to the list of Australian soldiers names.
See RECENT NEWS Item: Fromelles ID profiles for information on some of the identified soldiers Updated – with more soldier stories and linked to media. 
See RECENT NEWS Item: 75 Fromelles identities to see more details of events leading up to the release of the list.
See RECENT NEWS Item: Fromelles Media #3 to see links to media reports. Updated to 31 March and linked to Fromelles ID profiles. Media reports indicate that the number of relatives confirming they will attend the 94th anniversary ceremony in France in July has risen to more than 1200.  

One of those soldiers whose identity has been confirmed is 1682 Private Harold John BOURKE, 30th Battalion. Read his and the stories of other soldiers who have had their identities returned in RECENT NEWS Item: Fromelles ID profiles.

Photo: 1682 Private Harold John BOURKE, 30th Battalion [AWM]  

The President of the Families and Friends of the First AIF, Mr Russell Curley welcomed the notification of families and the impending release of the list of soldiers identified:   

“This is great news. Our thanks go to all who have worked so long and hard to achieve this result.  

“If what has been reported is correct, the families of at least 75 of the Diggers from Pheasant Wood will gain closure and their mystery is solved. More importantly, these 75 Diggers have had their identities restored and each can now rest in peace, finally, in a grave beneath a headstone engraved with his name.  

“Hopefully, there will be many more soldiers’ identities established in the future. We would like to see whether, for the small number of soldiers where viable DNA has not been able to be extracted by LGC Forensics, other world class laboratories are able to establish a DNA profile in the short term.   

“In a joint statement yesterday, Minister Alan Griffin (Veterans’ Affairs) and Senator Nick Sherry (Assistant Treasurer) announced the issue of a new 20 cent coin to commemorate the Lost Diggers of Fromelles. This is some way towards proper recognition from the Commonwealth for the sacrifices these men made at Fromelles; if we could get the National and State Memorials to honour FROMELLES by inscription, then that recognition would be complete.”  

New 2 March
The Joint Identification Board, co-chaired by Major General Mike O’Brien from the Australian Army, and Air Commodore Chris Bray from the Royal Air Force convened on 1 March 2010 at Australia House, London to try to identify as many of the 250 soldiers whose remains have been recovered from the burial pits at Pheasant Wood and have been re-buried in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery. The Board will end on March 12 but is likely to meet again in late April or early May to consider any further evidence.   See RECENT NEWS Item Fromelles ID Board meets.  

  

Photo: Major General Mike O’Brien, Co-chair of the Fromelles Joint Identification Board [Chris Munro]  

Updated Monday 22 February
Major General Mike O’Brien has indicated that the first group of Australian soldiers killed in the Battle of Fromelles and buried by the Germans at Pheasant Wood will be identified by Anzac Day.  Follow the links in RECENT NEWS Items:  Fromelles re-burials or Fromelles Media #2

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*Beneath Hill 60

Posted on 31/03/2010 by FFFAIF

John Laffin’s Guide to Australian Battlefields of the Western Front describes Hill 60, near Ieper as:

“One of the most famous positions on the Western Front, the hill had been formed in the 19th century from the spoil of a deep railway cutting. ….. The hill’s height of 60 metres gave it immense strategic importance in a flat country and both sides continually fought for it.” 

Photo: Beneath Hill 60 book cover 

On Monday 22 March, FFFAIF member, Historian and Writer Will Davies launched the book Beneath Hill 60 giving the true story behind the feature film of the same name. Beneath Hill 60 is now available at booksellers.

Photo: Will Davies [Random House]

The feature film Beneath Hill 60 commences screening in cinemas in Australia on 15th April 2010. Paramount Pictures has launched the BENEATH HILL 6O Official website where the 1st chapter of the book can be downloaded and also contains cast and actor biographies and a Gallery.

Photo: Beneath Hill 60 feature film poster  [Paramount]

The Silence Productions’ web site Beneath Hill 60 contains historical background, detail on how the script was developed, details of the making of the movie as well as a link to their blog site at http://beneathhill60.blogspot.com/ that features photos of FFFAIF member Will Davies at the launch of his book.

Hill 60 featured in the 60 Minutes item The Big Bang on 28 March 2010 with extracts from the feature film Beneath Hill 60 and with Ray Martin on the film set in Townsville, north Queensland.  Video and the transcript of the 60 Minutes item can be viewed on-line by following the Video and transcript links.

Photo: 6 July 1917. Looking from an old crater on the north side of Hill 60, over the shell pitted ground towards Zillebeke Lake. [http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/AWM E01911 A.W.M.]

A short background to the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company, its role at Hill 60 and further reading are presented in RECENT NEWS Item: 1st Aust Tunnelling Co.

Photo: AWM P02228.001 Ypres, Belgium. c. 1923. A monument erected at Hill 60 to commemorate men of the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company, who died during mining operations between November 1916 and July 1917. This structure replaced an earlier one constructed in 1919 by the Company. This replacement is very plain and bears no symbols whereas the first memorial was surmounted by a cross. [http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/P02228.001 A.W.M.]

Recently, the City Council of Ieper granted planning permission for the building of a large “family house” directly opposite the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company Monument near the pedestrian entrance to the Hill 60 site. The view of Ieper, for which so many died, will be largely obscured as may be seen in RECENT NEWS Item: Hill 60 view to go? Objections to the development were lodged by concerned local residents (Save Hill 60 volunteers), the Provincial Planning Department, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Families and Friends of the First AIF (FFFAIF). Judgement on the objection to the planning permission will be made will be made by the end of April, 2010.

Photo: The view from Hill 60 towards Ypres (Ieper), December 2009 [http://www.savehill60.org/]

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Fromelles layout, photos

Posted on 24/03/2010 by FFFAIF

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Remembering Fromelles website and the Australian Army Fromelles Project Group (AFPG) website have both been updated following the release of the names of the soldiers identified as being buried by the German Army near Pheasant Wood following the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916.

Photo: Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery – top soil being spread in front of Plots I and II, 4 March 2010 [CWGC]

The Australian Army Fromelles Project Group website Project Update for March thanks the soldiers who had recently returned from the reburials in France and the volunteers from the Army History Unit for assisting in contacting over 430 family members across the globe who are registered with them for the 75 named soldiers and advises that letters have now gone out to all registered relatives advising them of the next steps in the process. There are also updated photos in the Image library of the CWGC Remembering Fromelles website that can be downloaded.

The Australian Army Fromelles Project Group website also includes the Cemetery layout of the new CWGC Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery showing the burial position by category for the named and un-named Australians, un-named British and remaining unidentified soldiers.  Read in conjunction with the Results of the Identification Board document First_Fromelles_soldiers_identified.pdf available for downloading from the Department of Defence website, the locations of the graves of the named soldiers can be determined.  

Photo: Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery – turf being spread 16 March 2010 [CWGC]

  
Of the 250 sets of remains recovered from Pheasant Wood, the AFPG site indicates that 75 Australian soldiers have been identified with a further 128 identified as serving with the AIF and 3 with the British Army and a further 44 that cannot yet be distinguished as either Australian or British soldiers.

The AFPG site also has updated statistics showing:

The Battle of Fromelles
1333 – AIF Soldiers killed who have no known grave.*
1121 – AIF soldiers buried in local cemeteries as ‘unknown’.*
212 – AIF soldiers not accounted for.*

The Project (at 23 Mar 10)
701 – Soldiers with registered contacts.
2171 – Relatives registered with Army.
75 – Of the 250 soldiers identified.

The Original Working List (at 23 Mar 10)
191 – Soldiers on Army’s original Working List. Open in new window
768 – Relatives for soldiers on that list.
161 – Soldiers with contacts from that list.
57 – Soldiers identified from that list.

* Numbers provided by the Office of Australian War Graves

With 203 soldiers being identified as serving with the AIF, and a probability of some Australians among the 44 that cannot yet be distinguished as either Australian or British soldiers, this would suggest that the Office of Australian War Graves estimate of 212 AIF soldiers not accounted for will be equalled or exceeded.  The inference from this is that it would be unlikely that there are any or many Australian soldiers buried in locations other than Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries.

Photo: Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery – turf in front of Plot I, 9 March 2010 [CWGC]

The statistics also indicate that 18 soldiers who have been identified were not on the “Original Working List” that was compiled using 4 criteria:

  • The name of the soldier was recorded as having appeared on a German death list;
  • the location of German “death vouchers” in a soldier’s records indicating that he fell at Fromelles;
  • the soldier’s identity disc was noted as having been returned from Germany; and
  • the evidence strongly suggests the soldier died in or behind the German lines.

Clearly, the German Army buried the bodies of at least 18 soldiers, for whom the documentary evidence was not as strong as those on the Original Working List. Presumably these soldiers were identified through DNA matching with relatives, with possibly some artefacts helping to confirm their identities.  As viable DNA samples have been recovered from the remains of all but about 6 of the 250 sets of remains recovered, and the DNA matching with relatives provides almost absolute proof of identity, the best prospects of further identification is by extending the collection of DNA samples from relatives.  The AFPG has a list of soldiers without contacts from the Original Working List for which it is still seeking family contacts.  In addition research by FFFAIF members Sandra Playle and Tim Lycett and the Fromelles Descendants Database team identified another 4 soldiers that currently have named headstones but could possibly have been buried by the German Army and were added to the “Working List”. Their analysis is presented in the most recent edition of FFFAIF’s DIGGER magazine.

Both the CWGC and Australian Army Fromelles Project Group have appealed for further family members that had a soldier listed as “missing” following the Battle of Fromelles and have not provided a DNA sample to register with them. The nature of inheritance of DNA is relatively complex, but the larger the number of relatives providing DNA samples the greater the prospect of a DNA match occurring. For those who wish to have a greater understanding of the use of DNA techniques, the posting *DNA and Family Trees contains background and links to useful web sites. The CWGC Remembering Fromelles website also has a document for downloading on DNA testing which is “a colour coded, bullet-point guide to the Fromelles process”.

Photo: Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery – planting around the Cross of Sacrifice, 16 March 2010 [CWGC]

 *****

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.  

The Families and Friends of the First AIF hopes that there will be many more soldiers’ identities established in the future and would like to see whether, for the small number of soldiers where viable DNA has not been able to be extracted by LGC Forensics, other world class laboratories are able to establish a DNA profile in the short term.   

The Families and Friends of the First AIF welcomes the forthcoming issue of a new 20 cent coin to commemorate the Lost Diggers of Fromelles. This is some way towards proper recognition from the Commonwealth for the sacrifices these men made at Fromelles.

The Families and Friends of the First AIF seeks to have National and State Memorials honour FROMELLES by inscription in recognition of the service and sacrifice of the soldiers of the 5th Australian Division at Fromelles.  

Posted in CWGC, Top Posts | Comments Off on Fromelles layout, photos

Fromelles ID profiles

Posted on 17/03/2010 by FFFAIF

 The list of 75 Australian soldiers whose remains were recovered from the burial pits at Pheasant Wood and whose identities have been established by the Fromelles Joint Identification Board was released on Wednesday 17 March 2010. The list is available on the Department of Defence website and can be access by clicking on the following link: Soldiers Identified at March 2010 Joint Identification Board. 

Further information is available below on some of these soldiers by clicking on the links following their names. 
Contributions of photographs and profiles of soldiers are most welcome and can be sent to projectfffaif@yahoo.com.au

 
1602 Lance Corporal BENNETT Allan, 32nd Battalion: buried at Plot 2 Row E Grave 15;
The West Australian article Fromelles gives up secrets after 94 years features an interview with relatives of Lance Corporal Allan Bennett. 

   
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
1682 Private BOURKE Harold John, 30th Battalion: buried at Plot 3 Row B Grave 5;
Read how Harold enlisted at his third attempt in Hit in No-Man’s Land
The article in the Newcastle Herald: Relief as Hunter diggers at rest advises that Corporal Hassell Marsden Harding Kendall, of Singleton, Private Harold John Bourke, of West Maitland, and Private William Bruce Higgins, of Gloucester, have been identified.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Lieutenant BURNS Robert David, 14th Machine Gun Company: buried at Plot 1 Row F Grave 1;
Read how his prominent family made extensive enquiries to find his grave in Equal-in-death
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Lieutenant CHINNER Eric Harding, 32nd Battalion: buried at Plot ? Row ? Grave ?;   
Read how his family’s correspondence relating to the search for his body was one of the key pieces of information that helped Lambis Englezos establish that the Australian Graves Services had searched for graves at the centre of Pheasant Wood but not where the burial pits were located. Follow the link to the AWM’s Wartime #44 magazine article: Another brick in the wall.
Lt. Chinners story featured in the Flinders News item: Local soldier among unidentified at Fromelles?

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 4179 Private CRESSY Henry Alfred (Harry), 54th Battalion: buried at Plot 2 Row C Grave 11;
 Read extracts of Harry’s diary and how his family was reunited with his portrait in Pte Cressy Is Home

  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
3047 Private DEWAR Robert Arthur, 55th Battalion: buried at Plot ? Row ? Grave ?;  
Private Bob Dewar was born in Plaistow, London and after migrating to Austraia worked as a tram conductor in Sydney. Read more details in his Rec cross Wounded and Missing Bureau file at http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/1DRL428/00009/1DRL428-00009-0911010.pdf

   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3560 Private DYSON Frederick Arthur, 54th Battalion: buried at Plot 3 Row A Grave 1;
Private Dyson’s story is featured in the Macleay Argus article Don’s DNA points to war grave
 

 
 
 
 

 
491 Private ESAM Harold, 31st Battalion: buried at Plot 3 Row C Grave 8;
 Private Esam’s story is featured in The Warrnambool Standard articles Two lost soldiers found at last and A bittersweet end to Harold’s sad story

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
702 Private HALE Norman Arthur Hale, 31st Battalion: buried at Plot 3 Row E Grave 9;
Read how Norman continued on after being wounded in I regret to inform you
 
     
 
196 Private HIGGINS William Bruce, 30th Battalion: buried at Plot 1 Row D Grave 3;
The story of Private Higgins is told in Gloucester Advocate articles:  Forever linked to Fromelles and Trevor stitches a place in history
The article in the Newcastle Herald: Relief as Hunter diggers at rest advises that Corporal Hassell Marsden Harding Kendall, of Singleton, Private Harold John Bourke, of West Maitland, and Private William Bruce Higgins, of Gloucester have been identified.
 
 
955 Private HOLMES Arnold, 32nd Battalion: buried at Plot 4 Row B Grave 10;
The West Australian article Fromelles gives up secrets after 94 years features an interview with relatives of Private Arnold Holmes. 

 


 
William John HOWARD served as 258 Private MORLEY John, 31st Battalion: buried at Plot 4 Row E Grave 3;
Read how William John Howard from Yambuk became Private Jack Morley from Calcutta to enlist in: Uncle Jack Morley.
Private John Morley is also featured in The Warnambool Standard article Two lost soldiers found at last 

  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3331 Lance Sergeant JENTSCH Ernest Augustus, 53rd Battalion  buried at Plot 2 Row A Grave 5;
Scroll through Twin Cobbers to see examples of German documents on Ernest’s Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau file.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

4315 Private JOHNSTON Cyril, 54th Battalion: buried at Plot 1 Row D Grave 6;
The Inverell Times article: Schoolteacher found in war grave features Private Cyril Johnston

 
365 Corporal KENDALL Hassell Marsden Harding, 31st Battalion: buried at Plot 2 Row F Grave 16; 
The Singleton Argus articles Fromelles soldier of 24 March and Fromelles soldier of 30 March identifies Corporal Hassell Marsden Harding Kendall as working in Singleton at the time of his enlistment and tells his story, courtesy of Singleton Family History.
The article in the Newcastle Herald: Relief as Hunter diggers at rest advises that Corporal Hassell Marsden Harding Kendall, of Singleton, Private Harold John Bourke, of West Maitland, and Private William Bruce Higgins, of Gloucester, have been identified.

 
2873 Private MAYER Henry, 55th Battalion: buried at Plot 4 Row B Grave 5;
Read how Henry’s identity discs were handed in to 55th Battalion Headquarters in From Red Cross Files

 

Colin MEYERS served as 2055 Private MORGAN Cecil, 31st Battalion: buried at Plot 1 Row B Grave 7; 
The Canberra Times article Locals among the Fromelles found notes that Private Cecil Morgan was born in Goulburn.
  

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
3282 Private MOMPLHAIT Alfred Victor, 32nd Battalion: buried at Plot 4 Row B Grave 2;
Read how Alfred was killed just over a year after enlistment in KIA on 1st Anniversary

 
  


3393 Private MOORE William, 53rd Battalion  buried at Plot 1 Row F Grave 8;
The Mercury article War heroes not forgotten written by the great nephew of Private William Moore details the life and death of  William and his brother Hugh in the Great War.
The Diamond Valley Leader article Digger lost, then found thanks to Watsonia relative’s DNA also features the story of Private William Moore who lived at Harrietville near Bright.
[In the article, descendant James Moore indicates that he would have preferred for Private Moore’s remains to “come home”, however this would be contrary to the Australian Government Policy for Burial of War Dead which indicates:
“3.       ….  The Australian Government, acting in conjunction with other British Commonwealth Nations, instituted a policy which prohibited the repatriation of the remains of Commonwealth military members to their homeland. It was further agreed by the Commonwealth Nations that military personnel killed in war would be buried in the nearest War Graves Commission Cemetery to the place of death.  …”
A copy of the The Defence Instructions (General) Missing In Action Presumed Killed: Recovery Of Human Remains Of Australian Defence Force Members PERS 20-4 can be downloaded by following the links in the FFFAIF Research item Australian Government Policy for Burial of War Dead.]

  


258 Private MORLEY John, 31st Battalion: see listing for William John HOWARD: buried at Plot 4 Row E Grave 3.

 
  
 2055 Private MORGAN Cecil, 31st Battalion: see listing for Colin MEYERS: buried at Plot 1 Row B Grave 7. 
 

  
1558 Private RANDALL Howard James, 32nd, Battalion: buried at Plot 4 Row D Grave 10;
Private Randall is featured in the ntnews.com.au article NT link to unmarked war grave in France 

  
916 Private RAWLINGS Frederick, 31st Battalion: buried at Plot 3 Row A Grave 6;
Private Rawlings is featured in the Tweed Daily News article DNA identifies soldier 

 
767 Private TURNER John, 30th Battalion: buried at Plot 2 Row D Grave 6;
Private Turner is also featured in the following media articles:
Herald Sun: Scientists identify bodies at Fromelles
Daily Telegraph: Aussie fallen from Fromelles finally laid to rest  

    

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
358 Private WEIR Arthur Joseph, 29th Battalion: buried at Plot 1 Row B Grave 4;
Read how little information is available on Arthur Weir in the posting Commemoration. 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  
983 Private WILLIS Henry Victor, 31st Battalion: buried at Plot 2 Row F Grave 11; 
Read how Uncle Harry’s Charm helped locate the burial pits at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles.
Private Harry Willis is also featured in the following media articles:
Guardian.co.uk: First world war soldier’s family welcome discovery of body
Guardian.co.uk: Teen victim of Australia’s war massacre identified after almost 100 years
The Age: Private Willis identified, not forgotten 
The Sydney Morning Herald: DNA tests give names to Fromelles fallen
The Age: ‘This lad now has his name back’: search for lost Digger comes to an end
The Age: Scientists identify lost Diggers of Fromelles
Channel 9 News video: Lost Fromelles Digger identified 

  
        

 
 
 
 
 
 
4887 Private WILSON Eric Robert, 53rd Battalion  buried at Plot 2 Row E Grave 2;

  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3534 Private WILSON Samuel Charles, 53rd Battalion  buried at Plot 2 Row E Grave 1;
Read about three brothers in the same battalion going into battle for the first time at Fromelles with one being wounded and two being killed in action in Together in Battle.
The Wilson brothers are also featured in The Age article: Fromelles Diggers slowly being identified with home
The Canberra Times article Locals among the Fromelles found notes that Private Samuel Charles Wilson was born in Braidwood.

More profiles to follow …………. 

 

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Fromelles list of names

Posted on 17/03/2010 by FFFAIF

The Hon.Greg Combett AM MP Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science and The Hon. Alan Griffin MP Minister for Veterans’ Affairs announced the results of the first Joint Identification Board, held to identify the soldiers recently reburied in Fromelles.

FIRST FROMELLES SOLDIERS IDENTIFIED 

“Of the 250 soldiers found, I am pleased to announce that 203 have been identified as Australians, and that 75 of these have been positively identified by name,” said Mr Combet.
“The number of soldiers that we have been able to identify exceeds even our most optimistic forecasts. We are unlikely to identify every man; however we will continue to take all reasonable steps to maximise those named in the future.”
“Each of the 250 sets of remains that were found have been analysed using all available historical, anthropological, artefact and DNA evidence.  For those who have been identified so far, DNA proved to be a key piece of the identification puzzle.”
“I am also pleased to say that we have strong reason to believe that more identification could occur in the future.”
A second identification board will be conducted in early May 2010 to consider samples that were not available for the March board. Further Boards will be conducted in 2011-14 and concluded in 2014.
“Further identification is significantly increased with DNA from living relatives to cross-match against, so I would continue to ask all potential relatives to register with Army.”
People who believe their relative may be buried at Fromelles and have not already registered should do so at www.army.gov.au/fromelles or by calling 1800 019 090.
Alan Griffin, Minister for Veterans Affairs also welcomed the announcement, saying it gives their families and all Australians the opportunity to honour and recognise the service of these soldiers.
“All but one of the soldiers have been reburied in individual graves in the purpose?built Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery,” said Mr Griffin.
 “The final soldier will be laid to rest at a dedication ceremony on the 94th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles on 19 July 2010.
“The soldiers are being buried in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery which is the first full cemetery the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has constructed in more than 50 years.
“The new cemetery is a fitting resting place for these brave men, who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“It is fantastic that we are able to present the names of these brave Australian soldiers to the nation and restore their identity to relatives.
“The battle of Fromelles was the bloodiest 24 hours in Australian history with 5,533 Australian soldiers killed, wounded or missing,” said Mr Griffin.
Only three British soldiers could be identified by their force and none by name. Forty-four soldiers remain ‘Known unto God’.
More than 1300 Australians soldiers died at Fromelles and have no known grave.

*****

A full list of the soldiers identified is available on the Department of Defence website. To see the list click here.

*****

The latest updates on The Australian Army Fromelles Project website are available by clicking here.

*****

 

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Fromelles Media #3

Posted on 17/03/2010 by FFFAIF

Media reports for the period since 16 March 2010 related to the identification of soldiers whose remains were recovered from the burial pits at Pheasant Wood and whose identities have been established by the Fromelles Joint Identification Board.

Wednesday 31 March, 2010

news.com.au Diamond Valley Leader: Digger lost, then found thanks to Watsonia relative’s DNA features the story of Pte William Moore who lived at Harrietville near Bright.
By Elizabeth Allen
Wednesday 31 March, 2010 7:35 AM
[In the article, descendant James Moore indicates that he would have preferred for Private Moore’s remains to “come home”, however this would be contrary to the Australian Government Policy for Burial of War Dead which indicates:
“3.       ….  The Australian Government, acting in conjunction with other British Commonwealth Nations, instituted a policy which prohibited the repatriation of the remains of Commonwealth military members to their homeland. It was further agreed by the Commonwealth Nations that military personnel killed in war would be buried in the nearest War Graves Commission Cemetery to the place of death.  …”
A copy of the The Defence Instructions (General) Missing In Action Presumed Killed: Recovery Of Human Remains Of Australian Defence Force Members PERS 20-4 can be downloaded by following the links in the FFFAIF Research item Australian Government Policy for Burial of War Dead.]

Tuesday 30 March, 2010

Fairfax Press – Singleton Argus: Fromelles soldier tells the story of Corporal Hassell Marsden Harding Kendall who worked in Singleton at the time of his enlistment and is a follow-on to the article of the same title published on Tuesday 23 March.
By Lyn MacBain, Singleton Family History
Tuesday 30 March, 2010 1:46 PM

Wednesday 24 March, 2010

Fairfax Pres – The Inverell Times: Schoolteacher found in war grave features Private Cyril Johnston
By KIM COUSINS
Wednesday 24 March, 2010 11:33AM

Tuesday 23 March, 2010

Fairfax Press – Singleton Argus: Fromelles soldier identifies Corporal Hassell Marsden Harding Kendall as working in Singleton at the time of his enlistment and indicates that next Tuesday’s paper will tell his story.
Tuesday 23 March, 2010 10:11 AM

Monday, 22 March 2010

The Times Onl-line Blog: Cheesemongers, poets and freerunners has some photos of Rev Michell holding a photograph of his grandfather KIA at Fromelles. 
Monday, 22 March 2010

The Mercury: War heroes not forgotten featuring the story of Private William Moore
By Greg Barns, great nephew of William Moore
Monday, 22 March 2010

The Age theage.com.au: Diggers to be buried unknown reports that number of relatives confirming they will attend the 94th anniversary ceremony in France in July has risen to more than 1200.
By BRIDIE SMITH
Monday, 22 March 2010

Saturday, 20 March 2010

Fairfax Press – The Warrnambool Standard: A bittersweet end to Harold’s sad story featuring Private Harold Esam
By ALEX SINNOTT
Saturday, 20 March, 2010 04:00 AM

Tweed Daily News: DNA identifies soldier featuring Private Frederick Rawlings
By Patrick Williams
Saturday, 20 March 2010

Friday, 19 March 2010

Rutland and Stamford Mercury: Impossible to say if remains are soldier
Friday, 19 March, 2010
The Northampton Chronicle: Unknown WWI soldiers remain unknown
Friday, 19 March, 2010 8:00AM GMT
 
Fairfax Press -The Macleay Argus: Don’s DNA points to war grave featuring the story of Private Frederick Arthur Dyson
By LUKE HORTON
Friday, 19 March, 2010 08:18 AM

Fairfax Press – The Warnambool Standard: Two lost soldiers found at last featuring the stories of Private Harold Esam and Private John Morley
By ALEX SINNOTT
Friday, 19 March 2010 04:00 AM
For more of the story of how William John Howard from Yambuk became Private Jack Morley from Calcutta read Uncle Jack Morley.

Fairfax Press – Newcastle Herald: Relief as Hunter diggers at rest advises that Corporal Hassell Marsden Harding Kendall, of Singleton, Private Harold John Bourke, of West Maitland, and Private William Bruce Higgins, of Gloucester, have been identified.
By MARTIN DINNEEN
Friday, 19 March 2010

Guardian.co.uk: First world war soldier’s family welcome discovery of body featuring the story of Private Harry Willis
By Stephen Bates
Thursday 18 March 2010 13.56 GMT
For more of the story of Private Harry Willis read how Uncle Harry’s Charm helped locate the burial pits at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles.

Scoop.com.nz: Exhuming memory: The Fallen at Fromelles
Friday, 19 March 2010, 4:16 pm

Thursday, 18 March 2010

La Voix du Nord: La région de A à Z: Fromelles for those who wish to practice their French
Thursday 18 March 2010, 05:07

Fairfax Press -The Canberra Times: Locals among the Fromelles found
BY MAX BLENKIN
Thursday 18 March, 2010 08:38 AM

Fairfax Press – The Daily Advertiser: Wagga link to Fromelles soldier featuring the story of Private Benedict Dunstan 
BY BROOKE DURIGO
Thursday 18 March, 2010 10:48 AM

Guardian.co.uk: Teen victim of Australia’s war massacre identified after almost 100 years featuring the story of Private Harry Willis
By Stephen Bates
Thursday 17 March 2010 19.23 GMT
For more of the story of Private Harry Willis read how Uncle Harry’s Charm helped locate the burial pits at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles.

BBC NEWS: Fromelles grave reveals fresh war identities featuring an interview with historian Victoria Burbidge, Western Front Association Member, British Representative on the Fromelles & Weppes Terre de Mémoire 14-18 (Fromelles Museum) and organiser of the Aubers Ridge Service commemorating the Battle of Aubers Ridge on 9 May 1915.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010, 13:56 GMT

ntnews.com.au: NT link to unmarked war grave in France featuring an interview with relatives of Private Howard James Randall
By NIGEL ADLAM
Thursday 18 March, 2010

The Age theage.com.au: Fromelles Diggers slowly being identified with home featuring an interview with relatives of Samuel and Eric Wilson.
By BRIDIE SMITH AND DAN OAKS
Thursday, 18 March, 2010 – 12:05AM
For more information on how three brothers in the same battalion went into battle for the first time at Fromelles with one being wounded and two being killed in action, read Together in Battle.

Wednesday, 17 March 2010

BBC NEWS: DNA tests fail to identify unknown WWI soldiers
15:28 GMT, Wednesday, 17 March 2010

ArticleAnt.com: WW1 Soldiers killed at Fromelles are identified
COI’s News Distribution Service (United Kingdom)

Channel 9 NEWS: More Fromelles soldiers identified
By Max Blenkin
Wednesday 17 March  2010 19:05 AEST

La Voix du Nord: Fromelles : déjà un nom pour 75 soldats du bois du Faisan for those who wish to practice their French
Wednesday, 17 March 2010, 17:57 –

The Sydney Morning Herald: More Fromelles soldiers identified
By MAX BLENKIN
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 6:30PM

ABC News: DNA tests identify Fromelles fallen
Tuesday 16 March, 2010 4:10PM

ABC News: DNA tests solve Fromelles war graves mystery
Wednesday, 17 March, 2010 3:36PM

The Age theage.com.au: Private Willis identified, not forgotten focuses on Private Harry Willis but also reports that: “Viable DNA has been obtained from all but about six sets of remains, with testing on samples to continue until 2014. Just three sets of remains of the 250 have been identified as British.”
By PAOLA TOTARO, LONDON, BRIDIE SMITH AND ADRIAN LOWE
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
For more of the story of Private Harry Willis read how Uncle Harry’s Charm helped locate the burial pits at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles.

The Sydney Morning Herald: DNA tests give names to Fromelles fallen
By PAOLA TOTARO IN LONDON
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
For more of the story of Private Harry Willis read how Uncle Harry’s Charm helped locate the burial pits at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles.

Fairfax Press – Gloucester Advocate articles:  Forever linked to Fromelles and Trevor stitches a place in history tells the story of Private William Bruce Higgins.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 4:00 AM

The West Australian: Fromelles gives up secrets after 94 years featuring an interview with relatives of Private Arnold Holmes and Lance Corporal Allan Bennett
By KIM MACDONALD AND ATHANAE LUCEV
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 2:45AM

News.com.au: Herald Sun: Scientists identify bodies at Fromelles featuring an interview with relatives of Private John Turner
By Ian McPhedran, Amy Dale
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 12:00AM

News.com.au: Daily Telegraph: Aussie fallen from Fromelles finally laid to rest featuring an interview with relatives of Private John Turner
By Ian McPhedran, Amy Dale
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 12:00AM

Tuesday, 16 March, 2010

Yorkshire Post: Secrets buried with the dead after Britain’s bloodiest battle focussing on The Battle of Towton, which took place on 29 March, 1461 before discussing the Battle of Fromelles
By Billy Briggs
Tuesday, 16 March, 2010 

The Age theage.com.au: Scientists identify lost Diggers of Fromelles
By PAOLA TOTARO
Tuesday, 16 March, 2010 – 11:13AM
For more of the story of Private Harry Willis read how Uncle Harry’s Charm helped locate the burial pits at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles.

The Age theage.com.au: ‘This lad now has his name back’: search for lost Digger comes to an end
By BRIDIE SMITH
Tuesday 16 March, 2010 – 12:54PM
For more of the story of Private Harry Willis read how Uncle Harry’s Charm helped locate the burial pits at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles.

Reuters UK: Mass grave WW1 soldiers to be named
Monday 15 March, 2010 5:59pm GMT

The Daily Telegraph: The first 75 of lost Australian soldiers at Fromelles positively identified
By Ian McPhedran
Tuesday 16 March, 2010 2:13PM

News.com.au: Fromelles soldiers identified after 94yrs
From: AAP
Tuesday 16 March, 2010 3:59PM

9 News: Fromelles soldiers IDs finally confirmed
Tuesday 16 March, 2010 4:13 AEST

ABC News: Missing diggers found after 44 years
Tuesday 16 March, 2010 4:44PM

Channel 9 News: Lost Fromelles Digger identified video featuring Private Harry Willis
Tuesday 16 March, 2010 6:00PM

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Uncle Jack Morley

Posted on 17/03/2010 by FFFAIF

Being one of the oldest soldiers and having a height in excess of six foot, and possibly DNA matches with relatives, contributed to the identification of the remains recovered from the burial pits at Pheasant Wood as No. 258, Private John Morley of the A Coy., 31st Battalion. But it is possibly because Recruitment Officers were lenient in interpreting minimum and maximum recruiting criteria that William John Howard was able to enlist, train, embark, fight and die within a period of 1 year and 5 days.  

Photo: William John Howard enlisted as No. 258, Private John Morley 

FFFAIF Member Anne Betts and her sister Helen have contributed the following information on the soldier recorded as No. 258, Private John Morley of the A Coy., 31st Battalion, who was their great great uncle.  

William John Howard was born in Yambuk, Victoria on December 11th 1868. He was the first son of John & Sarah Howard to survive infancy. He had seven sisters & later one brother. His father abandoned his family, after he lost his job as Yambuk Station manager, and was never heard of again. The family moved from Colac to Echuca for a time, where their mother took on work as a teacher & a midwife.

Knowledge of William’s early adult years are very sketchy. He worked in Melbourne as a painter for 5 years before travelling through New South Wales & Queensland, working on farms and droving. He enlisted in the Army, in Brisbane, on 15th July 1915 although he was living at South Woodburn on the Richmond River in northern N.S.W.

As William was already 46 years old and the cut off age for enlistment was under 45, he needed to hide his true identity. So Jack Morley aged 44, from Calcutta went to war! He sailed on the HMAT Wandilla from Brisbane to Melbourne where they gathered more troops & supplies. It was here that William had a studio portrait taken and sent a copy to his nephew. The back of the card read; “Dear Lewis, With luck, From your Uncle. Jack Morley, No. 258. A Coy, 31st. Batt.” It was dated Oct. 31st.

Photo: William’s postcard to his nephew Lewis.

The Wandilla left Melbourne on 9th Nov. 1915 & arrived in Suez 7th Dec.  On 23rd April 1916 William was ‘awarded an extra duty’ by Capt. G. Robertson for ‘being improperly dressed on parade. Unshaven.’  The troops left Alexandria on 16th June & arrived in Marseilles on 23rd June, where they proceeded to the Western Front.

William and his 31st Batt. took part in the Battle of Fromelles . He was killed in action on 20th July 1916. For 93 years William had no known grave. We now know that he, along with many more of his Digger mates, were buried in mass pits by the Germans at Pheasant Wood. They have, at last, been given the proper, dignified burial that they all deserved. Shortly, William, or “Uncle Jack Morley” will have a headstone bearing his name. May he and his colleagues now all Rest In Peace.

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75 Fromelles identities

Posted on 16/03/2010 by FFFAIF

Families of soldiers whose remains were recovered from the burial pits at Pheasant Wood and whose identities have been established by the Fromelles Joint Identification Board have been receiving phone advice with written advice being provided by mail as confirmation. From the 250 sets of remains recovered 75 Australian soldiers have had their identities confirmed by the Fromelles Joint Identification Board that met in London during the past 2 weeks and considered the results of the forensic analysis of the soldiers remains as well as the matching of DNA tests with relatives.  A media report indicates that “Viable DNA has been obtained from all but about six sets of remains, with testing on samples to continue until 2014. Just three sets of remains of the 250 have been identified as British.”


Identified – 983 Private Henry Willis [Tim Whitford]

The Prime Minister, Mr Rudd told Parliament on Tuesday that the Government was poised to announce the results. “The Government is currently in the process of contacting the relevant families,” he said. “Obviously for the families involved this will be momentous news and we’ll make a public statement once the families have been contacted.”


Identified – 258 Private John Morley [Anne Betts]

The President of the Families and Friends of the First AIF, Mr Russell Curley welcomed the notification of families and the impending release of the list of soldiers identified: 

“This is great news. Our thanks go to all who have worked so long and hard to achieve this result.

“If what has been reported is correct, the families of at least 75 of the Diggers from Pheasant Wood will gain closure and their mystery is solved. More importantly, these 75 Diggers have had their identities restored and each can now rest in peace, finally, in a grave beneath a headstone engraved with his name.

“Hopefully, there will be many more soldiers’ identities established in the future. We would like to see whether, for the small number of soldiers where viable DNA has not been able to be extracted by LGC Forensics, other world class laboratories are able to establish a DNA profile in the short term. 

“In a joint statement yesterday, Minister Alan Griffin (Veterans’ Affairs) and Senator Nick Sherry (Assistant Treasurer) announced the issue of a new 20 cent coin to commemorate the Lost Diggers of Fromelles. This is some way towards proper recognition from the Commonwealth for the sacrifices these men made at Fromelles; if we could get the National and State Memorials to honour FROMELLES by inscription, then that recognition would be complete.”

*****

For Media reports for the period since 16 March 2010 related to the identification of soldiers whose remains were recovered from the burial pits at Pheasant Wood and whose identities have been established by the Fromelles Joint Identification Board, see RECENT NEWS Item: Fromelles Media #3.

Posted in Members First AIF, Top Posts | Comments Off on 75 Fromelles identities