A joint statement was made today by the Australian and British governments that DNA testing will commence this week on the remains of World War 1 soldiers buried at Pheasant Wood. Scientists will undertake mass DNA-testing in the hope of establishing the identities of the soldiers buried in the mass grave.<\/p>\n
DNA TESTING OF FALLEN AT FROMELLES TO PRO<\/span>C<\/span>EED<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today announced that full analysis and matching of DNA from Australian and British World War One soldiers discovered in France will proceed. Read the media reports: *****<\/span><\/p>\n The Families and Friends of the First AIF<\/em><\/strong> applauds\u00a0the joint Australian\u2013UK 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\u00a0German soldiers following the Battle of Fromelles\u00a0on 19\/20 July 1916, in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery presently under construction at Fromelles.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A joint statement was made today by the Australian and British governments that DNA testing will commence this week on the remains of World War 1 soldiers buried at Pheasant Wood. Scientists will undertake mass DNA-testing in the hope of … Continue reading
\nToday\u2019s announcement follows the successful conclusion of a pilot study to evaluate if the DNA present in the remains found at the Fromelles site could be used to identify our fallen soldiers.\u00a0
\n\u201cI am pleased to announce that the results of this pilot study have clearly demonstrated that viable DNA samples are able to be collected from a significant number of the fallen at Fromelles,\u201d said Mr Combet.
\n\u201cThe pilot study tested a cross section of the Fromelles remains with samples being taken from the teeth and bones of these remains. Samples were also taken from different parts of the burial sites.\u201d
\n\u201cOn the basis of the information provided by the study the Australian and United Kingdom Governments have agreed that a full DNA testing programme will be conducted.\u201d
\n\u201cThe delicate condition of the remains, the soil surrounding them and high water table has made the extraction of DNA difficult. Therefore is also important to note that the chance of identification of each solider still remains low,\u201d said Mr Combet.
\n\u201cBoth the Australian and United Kingdom Governments remain committed to identifying as many of the fallen as is possible.\u201d
\n\u00a0\u201cDNA provides another piece of the complex identification puzzle.\u00a0 But as important as this is, it is just one of the many techniques that will be used to try and identify these soldiers,\u201d Mr Combet said.
\n\u201cTo increase the chance of success, identification of individuals will also rely on a combined picture of anthropological, archaeological, historical and scientific data.\u201d\u00a0
\nOver 1300 descendants of Australian soldiers, who died in the Battle of Fromelles with no known grave, have registered with the Australian Army to offer their DNA to match with the remains.
\n\u201cDescendants who are identified as being the best chance of a DNA match to a soldier who died at Fromelles will be contacted directly in the coming months.\u201d
\nGiven the public interest in this historic project the Government is currently considering the release of further information relating to the DNA testing and pilot report.
\nIf people believe that they are relatives of a soldier who died at the Battle of Fromelles, they are encouraged to contact the Australian Army on (free call) 1800 019 090 or visit <\/em>www.army.gov.au\/fromelles<\/em><\/a> to register their interest.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nSydney Morning Herald: All remains excavated at Fromelles to be DNA<\/strong> <\/em>tested. Click here<\/a>.
\nHearld Sun: DNA tests on soldier remains<\/strong><\/em>. Click here<\/a>.
\nThe Canberra Times: DNA experts to test bodies at Fromelles<\/em><\/strong>. Click here<\/a>.
\nThe Age: Goahead for Fromelles DNA testing<\/em><\/strong>. Click here<\/a>.
\nThe Daily Telegraph: DNA to identify WW1 Digger remains<\/strong><\/em>. Click here<\/a>.
\nScotsman-Edinburgh: DNA tests begin in bid to identify fallen heroes buried for 93 years<\/em><\/strong>. Click here<\/a>.
\nNine News: Mass DNA tests on Fromelles WW1 soldiers<\/em><\/strong>. Click here<\/a>.
\nABC News: Relatives enlisted for Fromelles DNA tests<\/em><\/strong>. Click here<\/a>.
\nTelegraph UK: DNA tests begin to identify Fromelles dead from mass grave<\/em><\/strong>. Click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n