Fromelles Discussion Group

Number of entries: 16 Number of pages: 2
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Name: Pat Wearne
From: ACT
E-mail: Contact

I have been following the progress of the Fromelles story for some time and today hear that DNA testing will take place. What an achievement for the group!! My great Uncle Frederick Dale of 59th Battalion was killed on 19th but was never recovered. My Great grandmother had already lost another son at Plugge's Plateau on Anzac Day and Fred enlisted following the death of his brother George. His mother's anguish was great and continuous as it was not until one year after the battle that she was notified by the Army that he was consider DIA and not 'missing' - official correspondence about the place of death continued until 1922. It would be excellent to put an end to this matter.

Added: November 12, 2008

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Name: Peter Oakley
From: New Norfolk, Tasmania, Austral
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I fully endorse the pursuit of individual DNA testing or other forensic methods to identify those who fell in the fighting at Fromelles. These AIF personnel gave their lives for God, King and Country and it is only right they should be identified as individuals.

The fallen in the mass grave at Pheasant Wood should be given military honours so they can be remembered and honoured and closure is obtained for those who still have memories of them as living souls — even this many years on!

When we say "Lest We Forget", it can be best done by giving these soldiers their true place.

Added: October 20, 2008

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Name: Terry Erbs
From: Brisbane Qld Australia
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The discovery of the mass grave at Pheasant Wood has brought hope to our family that finally Cecil Woods Giblett can be found and buried with full military honours, at a suitable site nearby in France. My Great Uncle was killed during the Attack on Fromelles on the evening of 19th of July 1916. The family were very distressed by his death and my Grandmother was moved to name her first born son Cecil. His final resting place was never discovered but possibly now he will be finally found and for that we must publicly thank Madame Demassiet, the owner of the land, for her kindness and generosity.
As a veteran myself, I’m inspired by the efforts of Operation Aussies Home group, honouring our lost fallen in Vietnam and believe that we should similarly find, identify and bury with honour our lost fallen in France.

Added: October 2, 2008

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Name: Geoff Tully
From: Adelaide, South Australia
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My mother's cousin, Lt Thomas Percival Hagan, 'B' Coy, 32nd Battalion, 1st AIF was killed at the Battle of Fromelles during the Great War and his uncle, 371 Pte Sydney Alexander Loveday, an ANZAC who was a signaller with the 27th, also fell in the Battle of Menin Road, on the 20th September 1917. Neither of them were recovered. Percy is known to have reached the German support trenches with the 32nd in spite of impossible odds and it would be good to know the whereabouts of his remains.

I support the campaign to have the Pheasant Wood remains identified and believe the Australian Government should apply DNA testing and other modern forensic techniques to the mass grave at Fromelles before re-interring these World War One diggers with full military honours.

Percy was a young man when he enlisted and had a full life ahead of him. The missing of Fromelles deserve to be individually memorialized.

Added: September 24, 2008

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Name: Rod Best
From: Geneva Switzerland
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I am an Aussie living in Switzerland and am following this story from my new home. I have visited Fromelles twice now and read Fromelles and the Pompey Elliot biography so am very interested in this story. I would like to be kept informed of developments, particularly when the dedication of a new cemetery when these Diggers have the proper burial they deserve as I will try to make time to attend.

Added: August 12, 2008

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Name: Helen Riches
From: Croydon Vict.
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Victor Henry & Alexander Leslie McLean my two uncles were both K.I.A.on 19/07/16.Their father Alexander R.T.A.Both boys are commemorated at VC Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial,Fromelles.Can someone tell me the difference between Fleurbaix and Fromelles?

Added: August 1, 2008

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Name: Selwyn Glanvill
From: Frankston, Victoria, Australia
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My Uncle Private Douglas Wood was KIA in No-Man's-Land during the Battle of Fromelles July 19/20 1916. 3969 Private Wood was born in Albert Park, Victoria and was a Baker before enlisting on 9th July 1915, after which he was appointed to the 9th Depot Battalion, the 12/7th Reinforcements, and ultimately the 59th Battalion AIF. He was only 17 when he entered the fray at Fromelles.

Douglas joined at Sandringham and is commemorated at VC Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial.

I understand great care is being taken during the process of investigating the site at Pheasant Wood, but I wonder what is hoped to be achieved if all those interred are not identified and given a family burial.

The Chaplain of the 58th Battalion summed the situation up when writing to Douglas' mother on November 14, 1916. "The price Australia paid that night was very heavy and our one consolation is our boys met their end with high courage and resolve . . ."

Added: July 30, 2008

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Name: Reg Bonney
From: Ingleburn, NSW, Australia
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Please record my interest and support for the "best practice" re-interment of the remains of those hastily buried at Pheasant Wood, France. My paternal grandfather is one who perished 19 July 1916 at Fleurbaix and his name is commemorated at V.C. Corner, Fromelles Cemetery.
His service details are:

Name: BONNEY, George Edward
Rank: Private
Unit: 32nd Battalion AIF "A" Company

I assisted Dr. Roger Freeman with information in preparation for his major history of that Battalion, Second to None. The future son-in-law of George, Gordon Mills, also served in that Company, and was injured before being RTA permanently incapacitated.

Added: June 16, 2008

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Name: Jill Byrnes
From: Hervey Bay, Qld, Australia
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On behalf of my family I would like to register our interest in the Fromelle war grave, as my great uncle, Sgt David S Anderson, went missing in action, presumed killed, on 19-20 July 1916 and his body never found. He may well be in this grave. We would like to express our concern that the grave is fully excavated and all bodies identified as far as possible, and that all bodies be given a proper burial thereafter. We are concerned that it is proposed to not excavate the entire grave. Why find them and then leave them alone again?

Added: June 14, 2008

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Name: adam elliott
From: solomon islands
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My great uncle Lieut. L W Elliott was in C Company, 57 Battalion, the lucky ones who were pulled out of the line just before the attack. It was their first time under fire and Uncle Les' diary entries of that time reveal a stoicism that I dont think we see now. I have had his diary since I was a young kid and I just think it is great that now these names and places are coming back.

Added: June 6, 2008

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