DNA tests will
commence this week on the remains of hundreds of British and
Australian World War I soldiers discovered in northern France –
the largest undertaking to identify individuals killed in combat
ever commissioned.
In a joint announcement with his Australian counterpart Greg
Combet, British Defence Minister Kevan Jones has confirmed that a
full DNA testing programme will be conducted to identify the
remains so that these soldiers can be “laid to rest with the
dignity they deserve”.
The group burial in Fromelles was confirmed during a limited
excavation in May 2008 and it is thought that between 250-300
Australian and British soldiers were buried there by German forces
after the Battle of Fromelles.
The Battle of Fromelles began on 19 July 1916 and was the first
major battle on the Western Front to involve both British and
Australian troops. In total, the 61st British Division suffered
losses of 1,547 either killed, wounded, taken prisoner or missing
and the 5th Australian Division suffered 5,533 similar losses.
The decision to start full-scale DNA testing has been made after
a successful pilot study which tested a cross section of the
Fromelles remains. Samples were taken from the teeth and bones of
remains found in different parts of the burial sites to assess the
overall quality and quantity of DNA that could be expected to be obtained.
A full archaeological excavation of the site is expected to be
completed by the end of September and an identification board will
convene in March 2010 to consider the available evidence that may
lead to the identification of individual soldiers.
Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said:
“This is an
important step forward in the process of trying to identify the
WW1 soldiers buried at Fromelles. DNA is just one part of the
identity puzzle and our experts will be examining all available
evidence in their attempts to confirm the identities of these men.
Each one of these soldiers will be laid to rest with the dignity
they deserve and we owe it to them to do all we can to identify them.”
Greg Combet, the Australian Minister for Defence Personnel,
Materiel & Science, said:
“It is a great result that viable DNA has been obtained. The
delicate condition of the remains, the soil surrounding them and
high water table have made the experts’ job extremely difficult.
Every one of these men will be given a dignified burial with full
military honours. Putting names on their headstones is an
additional benefit.”
Anyone who believes they may be related to a soldier killed at
Fromelles should contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate
Centre by calling 01452 712612, extension 6303, or by emailing Fromelles@spva.mod.uk
Families already registered will be contacted with details about
the DNA testing process.
Notes to Editors
1. Photographs of artefacts discovered so far and recent images
of work in progress at the Fromelles site are available on the
Defence News Imagery (DNI) website at www.dni.mod.uk including footage
for broadcast.
2. The full list of names of Australian and British servicemen
who may be among those buried at Fromelles is available on the
Fromelles Project web site www.cwgc.org/fromelles
3. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is overseeing
the work on behalf of both the British and Australian Governments,
who are sharing the cost of the excavation and the initial DNA
investigations.
4. The DNA pilot phase and the full testing programme is being
carried out by LGC Forensics. www.lgcforensics.com
5. For further information, contact Tom Bennett, Ministry of
Defence Press Office, 0207 218 5083, or Australian Defence Media
Liaison, +61 (0)2 6265 3343 or +61 (0)408 498 664.
Contacts:
Ministry of Defence
NDS.MOD@coi.gsi.gov.uk