Two British General Service buttons
found at Fromelles
Friday - 13 June
2008 - MINSCIENCEANDPERSONNEL171/08
The discovery of two British General
Service buttons at the limited
excavation of a group burial site in
Fromelles confirms that fallen British
First World War soldiers have lain
beside their Australian comrades for
almost 92 years.
Minister for Defence Science and
Personnel, the Hon Warren Snowdon, said
the discovery provides physical
confirmation of the findings from both
the historical and non-invasive research
carried out earlier in the investigative
process.
“We now have artifacts that show we have
uncovered the remains of both British
and Australian soldiers in Fromelles,
which makes this a very significant site
for both nations,” Minister Snowdon
said.
The find follows the unearthing of two
Australian Rising Sun collar badges
earlier this week, as well as several
items of Commonwealth equipment which
were used by soldiers of both
nationalities during the First World
War.
“The unearthing of two British General
Service buttons is an important find,
similar to the discovery of Rising Sun
badges for Australia, and we join with
the British Ministry of Defence in
welcoming the news.”
Once assessments and research is
complete, the Australian Government will
be presented with a Report from the
project contractor, Glasgow University
Archaeological Research Division
(GUARD), and will need to consider the
next step in consultation with other
authorities.
“This discovery highlights the need to
continue our close working relationship
with the British and French Governments
as well as the Commonwealth War Graves
Commission, and cements the need to
reach a bilateral decision regarding the
future of the site.”
Skeletal human remains were first
encountered at the site on the second
day of excavation, 27 May 2008, and have
now been uncovered in all five of the
pits expected to contain human remains
and an adjacent sixth pit in which body
parts have been found.
Researchers on site estimate numbers
buried at the site may reach as high as
several hundred with a summary of
numbers and condition of the remains to
be released following completion of the
excavation.
The excavation is scheduled to conclude
on Friday 13 June with a small, local
ceremony planned to mark the closing of
this phase and the significance of the
find.
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