34 soldiers re-buried

Posted on 04/02/2010 by FFFAIF

The Last Post is sounded on the cornet of the 31st Battalion AIF

On Wednesday the re-burial of 34 soldiers killed at the Battle of Fromelles whose remains were recovered from the burial pits at Pheasant Wood took place in showery and cold weather.  The snow had melted and the ground was muddy.

Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery on the morning of 3 February 2010 following rain

Carole Laignel, FFFAIF member and Secretary, Fromelles Museum (Fromelles Weppes Terre de Mémoire 1914-1918) has again provided a photographic record, covering some of the re-burials on Wednesday 3 February 2010.  The re-burials 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.

The Service again commenced with the Ceremonial Guard parading and the Union Jack and Australian flags being raised, broken and lowered to half mast.

The burial plots were prepared.

The Bearer Party, Firing Parties and Orderlies took their positions and the Bearer Party received the coffin before the Chaplains led the Bearer Party and coffin to the graveside.

 

 

The Chaplain recited a prayer as the Bearer Party lowered the coffin into the grave.

 

 

This part of the service was followed for each of 34 soldiers re-buried.

At the Close of the Day, the Bearer Party took up its position alongside the the Firing Party and the Chaplains led prayers.

 

An Australian and a British soldier from the Bearer Party each read a Regimental Collect.

 

 

The Exhortation (The Ode) was read and the Firing Party fired three volleys. 

The Last Post was played followed by a minute’s silence.

After the Blessing, the flags were raised to full mast and then lowered and the parade departed the cemetery.

Re-burial services are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, weather permitting.

Floral tributes remained in the covered observation area where the visitors had signed the register.

Floral tributes at the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery on 3 February 2010

May they Rest in Peace

*****

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.

 

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Mont St Quentin Plans

Posted on 03/02/2010 by FFFAIF

In April 2009, the Minister for Veteran’s Affairs, The Hon. Alan Griffin MP announced the concept of an integrated trail of commemoration on the Western Front to foster a deeper appreciation of what Australians achieved and endured in the main theatre of conflict of the First World War. Mr Griffin has now announced details of plans for a new museum and commemorative facility at Mont St Quentin, France as part of the Western Front Remembrance Trail.

Photo:  2nd Division Memorial, Mont St Quentin [Ray Hudson]

The Minister’s media release of Saturday 30 January 2010 stated:
Commemoration of Australian service on the Western Front will be enhanced with plans for several new interpretive facilities at major battles sites as part of the Australian Government’s $10 million Western Front Remembrance Trail.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Alan Griffin today announced he was working with French authorities for a new museum and commemorative facility at Mont St Quentin.
Marshal Ferdinand Foch, supreme commander of all Allied forces in France, spoke of the seizure of Mont St Quentin and Péronne as one of the ‘finest feats of arms in a time rich in innumerable deeds of heroism’.  The battle involved vicious close quarter fighting that cost some 3,000 Australian casualties.
Eight Victoria Crosses were awarded for the four day action, more than in any other battle in which the Australians fought and only one less than the number they had won during the entire eight months of the Gallipoli campaign.
Plans are underway at Mont St Quentin to transform an old church into an interpretive facility which will also include walking trails to remnants of a trench network and the nearby 2nd Australian Division memorial. This project is being developing in partnership with the L’Historial de la Grande Guerre museum in Peronne and with the assistance of Péronne authorities.
“The new facility will honour the Australian capture of Mont St Quentin, recognised as one of Australia’s finest military achievements,” Mr Griffin said.
Remnants of an original communication trench captured by the Australians during the attack on Mont St Quentin will be restored and become part of an educational battlefield experience. Agreement has just been reached allowing access to the land on which these trenches lie, and with this foundation in place development of the new facility can proceed with some certainty.
“I am pleased to be working with local French communities to make the Western Front Remembrance Trail a reality and demonstrate our commitment to preserving our shared wartime history for future generations,” Mr Griffin said.
The Australian Government has committed $10 million over four years to work in partnership with local communities on the Western Front to develop and upgrade facilities at seven sites in France and Belgium where Australians fought together.  In addition to Mont St Quentin, planning for a new facility at Fromelles is underway and existing facilities at Villers-Bretonneux, Bullecourt, Pozieres, Ypres and Zonnebeke will also be enhanced.

***** 

The announcement appeared in the following media reports:

Memorial site planned as Fromelles Diggers reburied: Click here to read the report by Paola Totaro which appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald and the Brisbane Times.

World War I trench siezed by diggers to be restored: Click here to read the report by Belinda Tasker which appeared in The Courier Mail, The Herald Sun and Perth Now.

*****

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.

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Burials continue….

Posted on 02/02/2010 by FFFAIF

Burials continue …..

On the day following the first of the re-burials of the soldiers killed at the Battle of Fromelles whose remains were recovered from the burial pits at Pheasant Wood, the sun shone,

some of the snow had melted and all was quiet at Pheasant Wood.

Floral tributes remained in the covered observation area where the visitors had signed the register the previous day.

Re-burials resumed on Monday 1 February 2010 at 11 a.m. 
Carole Laignel FFFAIF member and Secretary, Fromelles Museum (Fromelles Weppes Terre de Mémoire 1914-1918) has once again provided a photographic record of some of these re-burials.

There was still some snow on the ground and the temperature was 0oC.  The Order of Service guided the service with the Ceremonial Guard parading and the Union Jack and Australian flags being raised, broken and lowered to half mast.

The Bearer Party, Firing Parties and Orderlies took their positions and the Bearer Party received the coffin before the Chaplains led the Bearer Party and coffin to the graveside.

 

The Chaplain said 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 each of 30 soldiers re-buried.

The Exhortation (The Ode) was read and the Firing Party fired three volleys.  The Last Post was played followed by a minute’s silence. After the Blessing, the flags were raised to full mast and then lowered and the parade departed the cemetery.

Re-burial services are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, weather permitting.

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

*****

FFFAIF’s thanks go to French member Carole Laignel for providing the photos in this report.

*****

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.

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Fromelles Media Reports

Posted on 01/02/2010 by FFFAIF

Media coverage of the reburial of the Australian and British soldiers at Fromelles for the period from Friday 29 January, 2010 to Friday 5 February,2010

For the period since Friday 5 February, go to: Fromelles Media #2

 Photo: Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery
30 January 2010
[Carole Laignel] 

Friday, 5 February, 2010

Sydney Morning Herald: Opinion: Best intentions can dishonour diggers
NEIL MCDONALD, Opinion
Friday, 5 February, 2010

This opinion piece has a significant number of errors and Jim Munro has sent a response correcting a number of these.  Read his response in RECENT NEWS Item: Honouring Diggers
This has drawn a number of additional responses, including one by FFFAIF Member Tim Whitford, Great Nephew of 983 Private Harry Willis of the 31st Battalion. Read these responses at the bottom of Sydney Morning Herald: Opinion: Best intentions can dishonour diggers

Web Newswire: Fitting final burial for Fromelles WW1 war dead
Submitted by editor on Friday 5February, 2010 – 13:36

Thursday, 4 February, 2010

Fairfax Media – The Standard: South-west descendants to make Fromelles pilgrimage
EVERARD HIMMELREICH
Thursday, 4 February, 2010 08:54 AM

Fairfax Media – Western Advocate: Wright stuff: Sombre duty for our Mitchell
BY LOUISE EDDY
Thursday, 4 February, 2010 01:00 AM

The Stratford-upon-Avon Herald: SOLDIERS REBURIED WITH FULL MILITARY HONOURS
Rebekah Smith
Thursday, 4 February, 2010

MK News (Milton Keynes): First of Fromelles war dead buried
Thursday, 4 February, 2010

This is south wales.co.uk – South Wales Evening Post / Llanelli Star / Carmarthen Journal: End on horizon for 100-year-old soldier mystery
Thursday, 4 February, 2010, 11:37

Wednesday, 3 February, 2010

Fairfax Media – Canowindra News: Lost local son found after 93 years at Fromelles: Soldier no longer missing
Wednesday, 3 February, 2010 09:41 AM

Tuesday, 2 February, 2010

Channel 9 NEWS 6pm: Australian soldiers begin Fromelles burial
Tuesday, 2 February, 2010

Monday, 1 February, 2010

The Australian: Memorial to soldiers can unite generations, says French mayor
Hubert Huchette, Mayor of Fromelles 
Monday, 1 February, 2010

Photo: Hubert Huchette, Mayor of Fromelle [Carole Laignel]

Fairfax Media: Unknown Fromelles soldier laid to rest
ROBERT WAINWRIGHT IN FROMELLES
Monday, 1 February, 2010

The Australian: Old cornet sounds across a century of war
Peter Wilson, Europe correspondent
Monday, 1 February, 2010 

Fairfax Media – The Standard: Reburial with dignity at Fromelles
BY ALEX SINNOTT
Monday, 1 February, 2010 

ABC NEWS: Fromelles burials: ‘Our boys are in good hands’
By Tim Leslie
Posted Mon Feb 1, 2010 1:11pm AEDT
Updated Mon Feb 1, 2010 5:21pm AEDT
Includes quotations from interviews with Lambis Englezos and Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s, David Richardson.
It also includes links to ABC NEWS and ABC NEWS Breakfast Video reports.

CNN: DNA may ID bodies from WWI mass grave
By Richard Allen Greene, CNN
Monday, 1 February, 2010 

UK Evening Telegraph: Ernest to get full military funeral after 94 years in a mass war grave
Betty Inman, News reporter
Monday, 1 February, 2010 

UK Telegraph & Argus: Bradford pair among 250 dead from 1916 battle to be excavated
By Hannah Baker
Monday, 1 February, 2010 

Gloucestershire.co.uk: Hucclecote grandmother “touched” by Fromelles service
Monday, 1 February, 2010 , 07:03

The Lowerstoft Journal (UK): Fallen of Fromelles given resting place
Monday, 1 February, 2010 

Halstead Gazette: Fromelles relative helps Science Museum
Anna Faro
5:48pm Monday 1 February 2010

  Sunday, 31 January, 2010

Fairfax Media: Fromelles dead laid to rest 90 years after battle
ROBERT WAINWRIGHT IN FROMELLES
Sunday, 31 January, 2010

news.com.au – The Adelaide Advertiser: Fresh appeal to help identify Fromelles soldiers
From correspondents in Fromelles, France and AAP
Sunday, 31 January, 2010 11:33AM

AAP: Govt hopeful remains will be identified
Sunday, 31 January, 2010, 12:25 pm 

Herald Sun: DNA aids Diggers’ reburials
David Murray in Fromelles
Sunday, 31 January, 2010 8:48PM 

ABC News: Fallen Fromelles soldiers laid to rest
Updated Sunday, 31 January, 2010 8:51am AEDT 

Australia Network News: First of Fromelles soldiers buried with military honours
Last Updated: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:27:00 +1100

Telegraph.co.uk: First soldier from forgotten First World War battle laid to rest in cemetery in France
Sunday, 31 January, 2010 

La Voix du Nord
Fromelles : après l’oubli des fosses communes, le digne repos du premier soldat du Bois du Faisan
Sunday, 31 January, 2010 – dimanche 31.01.2010, 05:06 – La Voix du Nord

Saturday, 30 January, 2010

Channel 7: Laid to rest
Chris Reason
Saturday, 30 January, 2010

Fairfax Press / AAP: Snow marks start of WWI Diggers reburial
BELINDA TASKER
Saturday, 30 January, 2010

The Australian: Australia’s Fromelles dead get proper send-off
Peter Wilson, Europe correspondent
Saturday, 30 January, 2010 

ABC News: Reburial for fallen Fromelles diggers
Updated Saturday, 30 January, 2010 10:43pm AEDT 

The Scotsman, Edinburgh: First World War dead laid to rest
Saturday, 30 January, 2010 

BBC News video: WWI soldiers who died at Fromelles are reburied
Saturday, 30 January, 2010 

BBC News video: ‘Special significance’ of cornet played at Fromelles
Saturday, 30 January, 2010 

Channel 4 News: WWI military casualties are reburied
Harry Anscombe
Saturday, 30 January, 2010

Times Online: First World War soldiers reburied in special service at Fromelles
Saturday, 30 January, 2010

Fox News: France Reburies Soldiers Who Died in WWI
Saturday, 30 January, 2010

News Distribution Service (UK): Fitting final burial for Fromelles WW1 war dead
Ministry Of Defence   (National)
Saturday, 30 January 2010 11:00

La Voix du Nord
À Fromelles, le premier des 250 soldats du Bois du Faisan a été inhumé ce matin
Saturday, 30 January, 2010 – samedi 30.01.2010, 18:06 – La Voix du Nord

Photo gallery of the occasion: lavoixdunord.fr: Inhumation du premier soldat de Fromelles (30/01/2010)
Le premier des 250 corps de soldats australiens et britanniques découverts cet été dans des fosses communes dans un champ a été enterré dans le nouveau cimetière commémoratif.
PHOTOS MAX ROSEREAU. 

Fairfax Press: The anguish of not knowing a forebear’s last hours and final resting place
JOHN HUXLEY
Saturday, 30 January, 2010 

Fairfax Press: Hoping for a match to honour Uncle Jack
BRIDIE SMITH
Saturday, 30 January, 2010 

The Citizen / Gloucestershire Echo / The Forester / Stroud Life: Fallen Glosters heroes to be buried with full military honours in France.
Saturday, 30 January, 2010, 08:04 

BBC News: Fallen WWI soldier from Bradford to be laid to rest
Page last updated at 13:40 GMT, Saturday, 30 January 2010 

Fairfax Press: Memorial site planned as Fromelles Diggers reburied
PAOLA TOTARO IN LONDON (Includes photograph of FFFAIF Member Peter Nelson and his 31st Bn cornet played at the service)
Saturday, 30 January, 2010

Friday 29 January, 2010

BBC News Magazine: Putting names to the lost soldiers of Fromelles
Using DNA scraps to finally identify WWI soldiers
By Peter Jackson , BBC News, Friday 29 January, 2010 

BBC News: Fromelles Scots soldiers to be reburied
Page last updated at 07:17 GMT, Friday, 29 January 2010 

Channel 7: Soldiers honoured (rehearsal)
Chris Reason
Friday, 29 January, 2010 

  ***** 

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.

Posted in Events, Top Posts | Comments Off on Fromelles Media Reports

Fromelles Service

Posted on 01/02/2010 by FFFAIF

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.

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Ozzie's Digger Tribute

Posted on 31/01/2010 by FFFAIF

FFFAIF Members Johan Durnez reported on the service for the interment of the first of the 250 Australian and British soldiers in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery in RECENT NEWS Item: Fromelles Burials Begin. 

Johan introduced Ozzie, the kangaroo, that appeared in some of his photos and in the news reports on television. Johan now provides more details of Ozzie. 

Hello dear friends
This time to tell you a little more about this cute kangaroo we had with us yesterday in Fromelles. 

 

This fellow arrived here the day before Australia Day, but unfortunately we were not at home when the postman rang at the front door and it was Wednesday before we could collect the box. 

The kangaroo is part of the Ozzie Wozzie project and it was an idea that grew from the visit of FFFAIF member Julie and Paul Reece from South Australia who came to our school to talk to the boys at the end of November about the Connecting Spirits program.  Julie got this terrific idea: we exchange a mascot from our schools and this mascot will take part in the daily life of our students (and teachers) and we will make photos of that and send these to each other. This means that this kangaroo will go to the classes (like the class of woodwork, metalwork, electricity, textiles or just a lesson like French or maths etc) and a photo will be made of that so that those who see the photo will get an idea of how our boys work and how their classes, playground, school restaurant, etc look. It is also the plan that the mascot goes to the homes of the boys and that photos are made of the daily life at home so that we can learn how the houses and gardens and bedrooms and kitchens etc look.  The mascot can go to the sports club, youth movement, church, soccer, horse races, cycling etc…  There are thousands of possibilities to make photos that can help and explain to each other how we live here. And we also try to collect souvenirs to fix on Ozzie’s hat and coat as reminders of places and special occasions where she has been. 

We received already the Australian mascot and our mascot will soon be ready to travel to Australia. (Sorry, I can’t tell you at the moment what mascot the boys have chosen to represent Waregem in Australia ! It has to be a surprise. But the name of our mascot is Wozzie – so: Ozzie and Wozzie from the Ozzie Wozzie project!)

And then we hope to receive now and then photos of our mascot in South Australian conditions. 

And when Julie and her Connecting Spirits group will be in Belgium in December of this year, Ozzie and Wozzie will meet each other and of course, the students will see each other for the first time ‘in live’ and hopefully will know already a lot about each other’s country and life via the photos that will have been exchanged in all the months from January to December 2010! 

So, I picked up Ozzie from the post office last Wednesday and Friday evening, we had the official welcome by the BVL-team, the class directors and support staff from the Ozzie Wozzie kids. First of all we had speeches for more than an hour (no, don’t believe this) and then we had a couple of glasses of South Australian wine.  

 And just like every new student in our school, Ozzie received her carabiner for the key of her locker !

I took Ozzie home as she was had to fulfill her first  “acte de presence”  yesterday in Fromelles !
And that gave me the chance to make Ozzies very first acquaintance with SNOW !

 

But the real highlight of the weekend was Ozzie’s meeting with the men of the Australia’s Federation Guard in Fromelles!!!
At the “verre d’amitié” (glass of friendship) after the ceremony, I got in contact with one of these men and explained him about the Ozzie Wozzie project and our aim to make photos of Ozzies visit to special activities and I asked him if I could make a photo of him and his mates with Ozzie.   You won’t be surprised when I tell you that he immediately took me to the other men to explain again about the project. As you can see… I really had a very attentive (and high ranking) audience! 

 Photo: Johan with Col Peter Singh, Army Adviser, Australian Defence Staff, Australian High Commission and members of the Australian Federation guard.

 And then these men decided that Ozzie deserved a great souvenir from her presence in Fromelles!  Look at the pictures…

 

She looks great !!!!  What a start of this photo-project !!!

 

I hope that I can now and then let you know about the adventures of Ozzie in Flanders !!!!
Johan

*****

We look forward to hearing more about Ozzie’s adventures – Thanks Johan.

*****

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.

Posted in Commemorations, Events, Projects | Comments Off on Ozzie's Digger Tribute

Fromelles burials begin

Posted on 31/01/2010 by FFFAIF

FFFAIF Members Johan Durnez and Anny de Decker travelled from Belgium to Fromelles for the service for the interment of the first of the 250 Australian and British soldiers in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery at 11 a.m. 30th January, 2010.  FFFAIF member Carole Laignel, who is also Secretary, Fromelles Museum (Fromelles Weppes Terre de Mémoire 1914-1918), has also sent a report that may be seen in RECENT NEWS Item: Fromelles Service.

Johan’s account of the service follows.
Hello dear friends
When I looked outside the window this morning, 7 am, everything looked still dark (of course – it’s still Winter after all)  but also ok. I mean: no snow and the street looked safe (no slippery conditions.) A quarter of an hour later… snow, snow, snow!  And in less than no time we had again a white Waregem.
The road conditions ? Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaangerous !!!  By moments I had the impression to drive/slide on pure ice. A good training to drive without using the brakes !
We got a big load of snow in Waregem and the Ieper-Fromelles area hardly got any snow compared to where we live, but it was more than enough to make driving extremely dangerous. 

We arrived at Fromelles for the start of the service there at 11 am (as you can see on the clock of the church) !

 Photo: Fromelles Church spire at 11am. 30 January, 2010 [Johan Durnez]

Sun and a blue sky. Temperatures ? I guess it was about 2°C but the sun made if feel lovely.

They had changed the access to Fromelles for that day to keep the traffic under control and the men of the gendarmerie along the road were very helpful. So, we were able to drive pretty close to the town centre and another gendarme showed us in which street we could park the car.  

I had the feeling that everything had been organised very well and that everybody there was really helpful. If this was a try out for the big ceremony in July, I can say: very well done! As visitors we had the feeling that we were welcome and that we got the help we needed.

The service was also very well organised. The audience was not allowed on the cemetery and a cord made that everybody had to stay away from the wall that surrounds the cemetery. So, no sitting or standing on the (white top stone) of this wall. And as the cemetery is situated on a bit of a slope, everybody can see enough of the ceremony.  Okay, the distance is maybe a bit far away to make pictures, but I think that many of mine turned out pretty well. What was very good: the press was kept on a safe distance and no photographer or cameraman could do anything to disturb the service. Congratulations to the organisation for that!!!

The location of the cemetery is really beautiful and peaceful.

Today, there was a thin layer of snow (made it at moments hard to make good photos as there is a contrast between the dark and the light parts of the photo) but this added to the atmosphere for this service.

At the entrance we all got a service booklet with the order of service.

I did not count the people who were attending, but there were at least a couple of hundred. And I can imagine that the road conditions made that some will have preferred to stay at home. But the atmosphere among the people was ok. You felt that those who were there wanted to pay their respects to the men who will now get their final resting places.  I also noticed a large group of standard bearers of French patriotic organizations. I really felt sorry for them that they too had to stay outside the wall of the cemetery (same for the French military guard of honour). But that’s probably a decision made by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.  But I must say that every time that I attend a service of remembrance in France that I notice that the French always have a fine delegation of “porte drapeaux” (standard bearers) who show that the French “never forget Australia” (as the school in Villers Bretonneux says). I wished I could get such large numbers of Belgian standard bearers for the commemorations we have here in Belgium!

To tell about the service, I will tell the story by photos.

 
Photo: Royal British Legion standard bearers at Fromelles 30 January, 2010 [Johan Durnez]
Here you see the RBL standard bearers and the press photographers and camera people behind their fence.

The raising of the flags. After the opening prayers, the flags were lowered to half mast.

The bearer party were officers and soldiers from the Australian Army and from the 1st BN Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

The hearse arrived with the coffin of the first soldier.

The coffin is taken out of the hearse, you see the French military guard of honour and the flags of the patriotic associations.

This is a view on the cemetery. The graves are very good visible.

The bearer party enters the cemetery.

The bearer party walking between the lined up men with arms reversed (on one side of the path a Fusilier, on the opposite side an Aussie digger.)

As you can imagine, this happened in complete silence, but what was very moving was that you heard two (or more) great tits (I mean these little birds – parus major) calling to each other.
Just like they wanted to give the sign that dead is not the end and that life goes on. Or maybe their own tribute to these men?

Then the bearer party went back to the entrance and got their headdress back.

After the prayers by the chaplains, the collects of the Australian Army and the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the exhortation, three volleys were fired.

Last Post, one minute of silence and Reveille followed.

(I think that not only the bugle but also the cheeks and lips of the poor bugler were frozen. It did not sound perfect, but I think that nobody will blame him for that.)

After that, tributes were read by the UK, Australia, France and by the War Graves Commission representatives.

End of the service – marching off of the party and dignitaries.

 Photo: The Australian Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, The Hon. Alan Griffin

Photo: Royal British Legion National Chairman, Peter Cleminson walks past Guillaume Moreel holding the Australian flag, who is the grandson of Madame Marie-Paule Demassiet, the lady who owns the land at Pheasant Wood where the soldiers were buried by the German Army following the battle of 19/20 July 1916)

We signed the register (and as you can see: I was wearing my FFFAIF cap!)

And after that… time for the “verre d’amitié” (glass of the friendship)
And I can tell you: Fromelles knows what this means!!!!

If this kangaroo will appear in one of the news reports on television (they have filmed it!): this is Ozzie. [For more details on Ozzie see RECENT NEWS ITEM: Ozzie’s Digger tribute]

And some of you will of course recognize these people!!!

Photo: FFFAIF Member Johan Durnez with Rod Bedford Chairman of the RBL Somme Branch

Photo: FFFAIF Members Carole Laignel and Johan Durnez

*****

Our thanks to Johan for his report and photos – “Well done, mate!”

*****

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.

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*Funerals at Fromelles

Posted on 25/01/2010 by FFFAIF

The small French village of Fromelles is preparing for an historic event which will take place on 30th January 2010. At 11.00am next Saturday the first, in a series of military funerals will take place for the re-interment of the soldiers whose remains were exhumed from the graves dug by the German Army after the Battle of Fromelles fought on 19/20 July 1916.

Photo: Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Cemetery, January 2010
[Australian Army Fromelles Project]

The Hon Greg Combet AM MP, Australian Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science has stated that  “………….all 250 soldiers will be buried with military honours. The burials will commence on 30 January with a single burial on that day. Subsequent burials, with the exception of one held over to July, will occur on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of each week in February (weather permitting)at approximately 30 soldiers per day, with individual services and burial parties.
“The Australian and British Armies are contributing equal numbers of soldiers for the burial [parties] as the force in which each soldier served will be unknown at the time [of burial]. Each burial will be undertaken by soldiers of both nations and presided over by a military padre. A bugler, firing party and flag orderlies will also mark each day’s burials. The final soldier will be buried during the Commemorative Event on 19 July 2010.
“The Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery is currently under construction and will be 70% complete by January 2010. As there is still significant work to be done, it will remain a construction site until 19 July 2010. Members of the public who wish to attend the burials will be able to view proceedings from a designated viewing area outside the cemetery wall.” 

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has been working to complete the construction necessary to allow the burials to take place. You can follow the progress of the project by visiting the CWGC remembering Fromelles website.

The Australian Army Fromelles Project Don’t forget me cobber notes that:
Re-interment of the soldiers recovered from Pheasant Wood will commence on Saturday 30 January 2010. The timing of this event is on the request of the Mayor of Fromelles, Monsieur Hubert Huchette. This will allow the Fromelles community to attend and offer their support for the Project and to commemorate the sacrifice of the soldiers of Pheasant Wood. The Project’s success to date has been in large part due to the support of the town and its people. It is with great appreciation that the Project has an opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of the Mayor and residents of Fromelles for their assistance with, and enthusiasm toward, the Project.

Photo: Monsiuer Hubert Huchette, Mayor of Fromelles
inspects the sword before it is mounted on the Cross of Sacrifice
at Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Cemetery, December 2009
[Hubert Huchette]

Details of the Commencement of Re-Interments Service can be found at Australian Army Fromelles Project Don’t forget me cobber by clicking here;
further information can be found on CWGC remembering Fromelles by clicking here.

An example of the support offered by the people of Fromelles to the project has been witnessed by the FFFAIF through the willingness of locals to share photos and reports on the progress in and around the village.

The following photographic record of sections of the cemetery construction were taken by FFFAIF member and Secretary of the Fromelles Museum (Fromelles Weppes Terre de Mémoire 1914-1918), Carole Laignel and Monsiuer Hubert Huchette, Mayor of Fromelles.

Click on the frame below to see images of the cemetery construction:

[slideshare id=2992868&doc=constructionfromellescemetery-100125233308-phpapp01] 

‘Merci’, Carole and Hubert!

*****

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.

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*FFFAIF Tour Update

Posted on 25/01/2010 by FFFAIF

An excited buzz is going around the 46 members of the FFFAIF who have signed up to fill the coach for the inaugural Commemorative Tour which will spend 14 days on the battlefields of the Western Front from 14th July – 27th July 2010 as they make plans, research and dream about their departure.  

Photo: One of the tour destinations 
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium
[Munro Collection]

The tour has been designed to give members a comprehensive view of the Australian battlefields of Belgium and France during the Great War. Planning is underway to include the commemorative requests and cemetery visits of those coming on the tour. It is shaping up to be a memorable experience.

If you have been considering joining the tour but have missed out on a seat we are compiling a ‘waiting list’ of interested members who would like to come aboard if seats becomes available. Please see details in the Members’ Area  on how to have your name added to the list.

Matt & Chris
Tour Leaders

*****

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.

Posted in 2010 Commemorative Tour | Comments Off on *FFFAIF Tour Update

Hill 60 view to go?

Posted on 31/12/2009 by FFFAIF

The City Council of Ieper has granted planning permission for the building of a large “family house” directly opposite the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company Monument and the pedestrian entrance to the Hill 60 site. The view of Ieper, for which so many died, will be largely obscured.

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

John Laffin’s Guide to Australian Battlefields of the Western Front describes Hill 60 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.” 

German photo of 1915 showing view to Ypres from
Hill 60 (Ieper) [http://www.savehill60.org/]

“The British tunnelled into the hill in 1915 and 1916 to plant mines which killed many Germans when they exploded. The 1st Australian Tunnelling Company, under Major J. Douglas Henry took over the tunnels and mines on 9 November 1916.”

“The  Company’s primary job was to keep intact two great mines being prepared for a major assault to break the enemy front.  ….Protecting the mines from the Germans involved the Diggers in ferocious underground fighting. …..”

For further detail on the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company activities at Hill 60 and some of the personal stories of some of the tunnellers as well as additional sources, click on 1st Aust Tunnelling Co.

Photo: 1st Australian Tunnelling Company Memorial at Hill 60
(with WWII bullet holes), 2007 [Munro Collection]

Hill 60 is one of the places to be visited on the second day of the FFFAIF Western Front Commemorative Tour in July 2010.

Photo: A German pill box on Hill 60, 2007 [Munro Collection]

There are two plots of land in front of the Hill 60 monuments, known as 488v and 488x that remain unbuilt and preserve the vista which the Germans had from Hill 60 and which immediately makes clear why this place was so heavily contested.  Building infill is now occurring which is separating Hill 60, which has been preserved in memory of those who fought there from its  battlefield context.

Photo: Hill 60 aerial view showing location of Hill 60 Monument
and building site [http://www.savehill60.org/]

The Building Permit was displayed on the site (lot 488v) on Christmas Eve (24 December 2009) which gives 30 days for people who feel disadvantaged by the granting of this application to submit an objection.  

A campaign to save the Hill 60 view of Ieper has been launched by a group living near Hill 60, the “Hill 60 Volunteers”, and can be viewed at http://www.savehill60.org/. Private people, companies, government bodies, any third party who feels disadvantaged by the granting of this application can submit an objection. 

The campaign encourages those who have visited Hill 60, or who plan to visit the battlefield, or who had a relative on the battlefield and may feel that they will be disadvantaged, to lodge an objection. Any objection will be considered according to the rules laid down, if it is submitted in accordance with the guidelines. The http://www.savehill60.org/ website provides more details on how an objection can be lodged.  OBJECTIONS NEED TO BE LODGED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE PLANNING PERMIT BEING DISPLAYED (by 20 January). The website offers to receive Objections by email and lodge them and offers to facilitate the postage, fee and administrative requirements.

For individuals who wish to show their support for preserving the views and requesting that the Belgium Government intervene and purchase the building site, they can add their name to the petition by following the links on the web-site or clicking on the following links to the petition: http://www.savehill60.org/Options.htm or  http://www.savehill60.org/phpPETITION/index.php

The petition only requires your name and email address and a message is then sent to your email address requesting confirmation.

Further reading on the Australian Tunnelling Companies  click on 1st Aust Tunnelling Co.

*****

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.

Posted in Hill 60, Ieper/Ypres, Members First AIF, The Western Front | Comments Off on Hill 60 view to go?