THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
PROGRESS ON THE EXCAVATION AND
REINTERMENT OF WORLD WAR I REMAINS
DISCOVERED IN FROMELLES, FRANCE
19 August 2009
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SPEAKER:
The Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Sciene the Hon Greg
Combet AM MP
Mr Speaker,
I rise to make a Ministerial Statement on the progress of the project
underway in Fromelles, France.
The project involves the meticulous excavation of the remains of up to
possibly 300 Australian and British soldiers who will be reinterred in a
new Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery with full military
honours. The new cemetery will be known as the Fromelles (Pheasant
Wood) Military Cemetery.
The Battle of Fromelles
The Battle of Fromelles took place on the 19-20 July 1916 and was the
Australian Forces’ first major action on the Western Front.
The attack itself was meant to be a strategic distraction. It was meant to
prevent the German Forces reinforcing their line on the Somme, some
100 km south of Fromelles.
The battle included the Australian 5th Division, British 61st Division and
6th Bavarian Reserve Division.
In total, 5,533 Australians were tragically recorded as killed, wounded or
missing over the 24 hours of the Battle.
www.defence.gov.au
The terrible loss of Australian soldiers stands the Battle of Fromelles in
the position of the worst 24 hours in our military history.
The British 61st Division reported 1,547 killed, wounded and missing,
while the German casualties were estimated at less than 1,000.
The real tragedy of the Battle of Fromelles is that it need not have been
fought at all. It was no more than a diversionary attack for the Somme
offensive raging to the south.
Background to the Current Project
In 2007 a previously undiscovered site thought to contain up to 400
World War One Australian and British soldiers was discovered in
Fromelles, France.
The discovery was the result of considerable research and effort by
amateur historian, Mr Lambis Englezos, a retired school teacher from
Melbourne, Australia.
I would like to put on the record here that the Australian Government
greatly appreciates the efforts of Mr Englezos, without which, I think it
would be fair to say, this discovery would not have been made.
For his efforts in this regard Mr Englezos was awarded an AM (Member
of the Order of Australia) in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Countless other generous individuals volunteered a significant amount
of their time and effort in making this discovery and to them I say thank
you, we are very grateful.
Following that discovery and discussions conducted between the
Australian and United Kingdom Governments it was jointly announced
that with the support of the French Government a project to recover and
reinter the soldiers would be commenced.
The Fromelles Project aims to give the soldiers who lost their lives a
dignified final resting place.
This will require the excavation, recording, recovery and analysis of the
remains of the soldiers buried at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles.
Governance Arrangements of the Project
Before I outline some of the specifics of the project I would like to outline
to the House the governance arrangements that apply.
Firstly, it is important to emphasise that this is a joint project between
our Government and the Government of the United Kingdom.
The project requires coordination between the French, Australian and
British governments, the UK Ministry of Defence, Australian Department
of Defence, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the
people of Fromelles.
The Australian Government involvement in the project includes
elements of the Department of Veterans Affairs (the Office of Australian
War Graves and the Australian War Memorial) and the Department of
Defence.
Within my Department, the project is represented by the Australian
Fromelles Project Group (ASFPG). This group is a team of Australian
Department of Defence members headed by Major General Mike
O’Brien. The team includes both uniform and civilian members and is
coordinated by the Australian Army under the guidance of the Chief of
Army.
The UK Government involvement in the project is represented by the
Ministry of Defence, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel)
Pensions, Compensation and Veterans. The relevant Minister for this
department is the Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for
Veterans, Kevan Jones MP.
On behalf of the two governments the day-to-day management of the
sensitive recovery operation is contract managed by the Commonwealth
War Graves Commission.
As members would be aware, the Commonwealth War Graves
Commission is responsible for providing and maintaining the graves of
members of Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars.
They build and maintain memorials to the war dead whose graves are
unknown and provide records and registers of approximately 1.7 million
burials and commemorations of Commonwealth forces across the
globe.
For this project, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is also
responsible for construction and ongoing maintenance of the Fromelles
(Pheasant Wood) Cemetery.
Oversighting the Project as a whole is the Fromelles Management
Board. This board is co-chaired by representatives of the UK Ministry of
Defence and Australian Defence Force on behalf of their respective
governments.
Its membership includes representatives from the Australian and British
Governments and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission which
acts as prime contractor for both governments and is located in London.
The Excavation
I would now like to turn to the excavation of the soldiers.
After the initial discovery of the site in 2007, limited excavation of the
site took place in late May and early June of 2008, to confirm the
presence of human remains and to determine the quantity and condition
of remains across the entire site.
The Glasgow University Archaeological Research Division (GUARD)
undertook this excavation and reported back to the Governments with
their findings. They were able to uncover the presence of human
remains, estimated that approximately 400 remains were present and
confirm that both British and Australian soldiers were buried at the site.
We are very grateful for their contribution to the project.
The excavation of the soldiers from the eight located burial pits
commenced in May this year.
The work is being conducted by a company called Oxford Archaeology.
I would like to say a few words about the selection of Oxford
Archaeology to conduct their excavation operations as there has been
some inaccurate media representation of their contract.
The choice to engage Oxford Archaeology was an international
decision, reached using an open and transparent tender process that
was in accordance with Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines.
This decision was based upon their ability to meet all the requirements
of this unique operation.
Oxford Archaeology is one of the largest independent archaeology and
heritage practices in Europe with nearly 400 specialist staff, and
permanent offices in Oxford, Lancaster, Cambridge and Montpellier,
France.
Oxford Archaeology’s recovery plan and pricing structure included all
the necessary services, infrastructure and personnel to undertake the
Fromelles Project.
They began excavation in May of this year and are currently conducting
a very comprehensive and delicate operation to exhume the remains of
both Australian and British soldiers.
They have been methodically undertaking the archaeological excavation
of the sets of remains layer by layer in each grave, with due care and
process and the operation is being fully documented in accordance with
world’s best practice.
I can advise the House that as of last night our time, 214 sets of
remains have now been exhumed from the mass graves.
As I noted in a recent media statement, the total number of remains
expected to be buried in this location has been revised down from the
initial 400 to 300. With the possibility that less than 300 remains will be
recovered.
I can also advise the House that a number of artefacts have been
recovered so far including train tickets, books, buttons, military webbing,
a gas mask and an Australian Army ‘Rising Sun’ badge.
I can also advise the House that work is complete on seven of the eight
burial pits at Pheasant Wood.
The last burial pit to be excavated, Burial Pit Five, is well underway.
It is anticipated that archaeological excavation work will be complete in
four to six weeks depending on the number of remains that are found in
Burial Pit Five.
Water Management at the site
I would now like to address the question of water management at the
site as this has also been the subject of some adverse media comment.
One of the primary issues associated with the site, and which has been
known since the limited excavation of the site that was conducted by
GUARD in 2008, is the management of water levels within each of the
eight burial pits.
As part of their water management strategy Oxford Archaeology’s
proposal included a detailed site layout inclusive of pumps and drainage
systems.
Oxford Archaeology has a robust plan for water management on the site
and has been carefully executing this plan to ensure the integrity of the
archaeological excavation.
Two main methods were also proposed and subsequently employed
following advice from experts engaged by Oxford Archaeology to advise
on water management techniques. These were the excavation of sumps
adjacent to burial pits and construction of drainage ditches connecting
the pits to the sumps.
These measures were taken by Oxford Archaeology to ensure that
every possible effort was being made to ensure that no remains were
compromised at any time.
I am aware that a minor delay was caused by very heavy rain in late
May of this year, but the programmed recovery operations remain on
the agreed schedule and the Fromelles Management Board reported
that no remains or artefacts were compromised by the weather event.
I would also like to advise the House that the work at Fromelles is
subject to periodic quality assurance checks conducted by an
independent specialist adviser. These reports indicate that the project
will be completed to schedule and to the highest applicable standards.
Identification and DNA Testing
I would now like to turn to the second element of the project which is the
attempted identification of the recovered soldiers’ remains.
When the excavation began, the Australian and British Governments
announced that LGC Forensics had won the contract to conduct a DNA
Pilot Study, to test a sample of the remains being excavated for viable
DNA.
LGC Forensics is a world leader in DNA analysis. They are the largest
independent supplier of forensic services to the Criminal Justice System
in England and Wales, supporting law enforcement agencies including
police forces and non-police organisations.
LGC Forensics was contracted in June 2009 to complete the work at
Pheasant Wood through a competitive select tender process. This
process complied with Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines and
their bid met the required standard for this part of the project.
DNA operations have been underway since 9 May 2009 with the pilot
DNA project.
In parallel with the DNA pilot project, LGC Forensics have been
collecting DNA samples from every set of remains that pass through
Oxford Archaeology’s on site temporary mortuary.
Upon announcement of the full DNA project on 10 August 2009, LGC
Forensics has commenced transporting all available DNA samples to
the UK. Remaining samples will be obtained as the final skeletons are
excavated.
Additionally, within Oxford Archaeology's on site laboratories full
anthropological analysis has been completed for the remains from three
of the graves. That equates to 104 soldiers’ having been analysed. Of
these, I can advise the House that the overwhelming majority are
Australian.
Testing of soldier samples for the full DNA project is commencing at
LGC Forensics’ London based laboratory at the end of this month. The
DNA contract is in place for a five year period.
This period allows the bulk of potential matches to be made before
March 2010 when a Joint Identification Board will sit to identify as many
of the soldiers as possible and give them the dignity of a named
headstone, with further matches attempted until 2014 should other
descendants become aware of a family connection.
To ensure the highest possibility of an identification a cross-section of
bones are being tested for viable DNA samples. This includes load
bearing bones - which is a term that refers to the major bones of the
skeleton that carry the weight of the body. These include the femur, or
vertebra.
I am advised that the success of finding viable DNA is less dependent
on the bone and more dependent on the site. There are very site
specific conditions that determine which bones are the most likely to
return viable DNA samples. These include environmental conditions and
time since death.
A number of other bones are also tested during this process including
smaller bones such as hand bones and even teeth.
LGC have also introduced a process where they decalcify the samples.
This allows the calcium present in the bones to be removed, thus
dissolving the bone but not the DNA. The decalcification process
releases more DNA compared to just grinding, resulting in better profiles
for sampling.
It is hoped that through this exhaustive process the highest possibility of
returning viable DNA would be obtained and ultimately assist in the
difficult and complex identification process.
I am advised that the estimate for useable samples currently stands at
approximately 70 per cent with a real possibility for this to increase
during the project.
Of course, DNA analysis is only one element of the complex
identification process. All available anthropological, archaeological and
historical information will also be considered.
Further assisting the identification process is the fact that almost all of
the remains recovered so far have had artefacts of significance in close
proximity to them.
To provide a relevant testing sample, the Australian Army has
established a database to collect information from people whose
relatives may be among the First Australian Imperial Force soldiers
buried at Pheasant Wood.
This database currently holds contact details for 1438 relatives of those
thought to have been killed at Fromelles with no known grave.
The Australian Army is keeping those on this list regularly updated on
progress.
I would encourage all people who believe their relative may be buried at
Fromelles, and who have not done so, to register their details at
www.army.gov.au/fromelles or by calling 1800 019 090.
Despite, the good work in this area it should be noted that while we are
hopeful that collection of DNA will allow us to identify some of our
soldiers, an unfortunate reality is that our chances of doing so still
remain quite low. This is due to the complex nature of the identification
process.
Another unfortunate fact is that some family lines will not be traceable
by DNA due to broken lineage along the maternal and paternal lines.
This is unavoidable and irreversible.
Joint Identification Board
In March 2010, a joint identification board will consider all available
evidence to determine whether the identity of any remains can be
determined.
The joint identification board will be co-chaired by Senior Officers from
the Australian Defence Force and United Kingdom Ministry of Defence.
Evidence considered by the board may include documents held in
archives or by relatives, personal dossiers, anthropological analyses
and proof of scientific matching with living relatives.
After the joint identification board has finished its deliberations, positive
identifications will be announced publicly once next of kin have been
notified.
The joint identification board will meet on an as required basis after
March 2010 to consider unresolved identifications and allow for new
evidence to be considered.
Reinterment and Commemoration
The remains of the soldiers will be permanently laid to rest with full
military honours in individual graves at the new Fromelles (Pheasant
Wood) Military Cemetery.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is responsible for the
construction and ongoing maintenance of the cemetery.
Construction commenced on the new cemetery on 17 May 2009 and is
scheduled to be 70 per cent completed by December 2009.
Commencement of the burials is scheduled to begin at the end of
January 2010 and continue until the end of February 2010.
The final 30 per cent of the cemetery will be constructed from early
March 2010, after the reinterment operation, and will be completed
before a commemorative event that has been planned for July 2010.
The event is being planned to coincide with the 94th anniversary of the
Battle of Fromelles on 19 July 2010. Family members as well as the
general public will be invited to participate.
All of the soldiers will be buried initially without a named headstone. If
we are fortunate enough to identify any of these soldiers, the families
will be given the opportunity to add a personalised inscription on the
headstone.
When identification is not practical, the headstone will be that of an
‘Unknown Soldier of The Great War’. Where possible, this will record
the force in which the soldier served.
For example, if artefacts are discovered with a particular set of remains
which confirm the force with which the soldiers were serving, they will
be given a headstone designating them as a British or Australian
soldier.
When a previously unknown soldier is identified, it is normal practice for
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to change the headstone
to that of a known soldier.
This process will also apply to any soldiers interred at the Fromelles
(Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery whose remains are identified after
they have been re-interred.
Costs
Before I conclude today I just want to outline the costs of this project as
there has been again some media reporting on this issue and I want to
ensure that the full information is on the record.
Australia and Britain have agreed to share equally the cost of all
combined aspects of the project.
This includes the costs of joint research, investigation of DNA samples,
excavation of the site, re-interment of remains and funerals, and any
commemorative events.
Funds to meet the Australian government cost of the Fromelles project
were forecast by the Australian Army in previous years and will be
accommodated within the Australian Defence budget. Defence’s share
of costed activities for the Fromelles project is $6.2 million.
Construction of the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery will
cost approximately 900,000 Euros. This cost is met by the member
countries of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Government firmly believes that we owe it to the soldiers and their
families to ensure that this operation is conducted thoroughly and
properly.
Conclusion
In conclusion Mr Speaker, the Australian Government is committed to
ensuring that the recovery of these remains is conducted in a
professional and sensitive manner.
It is essential that the appropriate respect and reverence is paid to these
men in all steps of the exhumation and reinterment process.
Unfortunately, there has been some doubt cast on the operation of this
project due to some ill-informed media reporting and speculation.
To inform media of the progress of the project, a media open day will be
held at the Fromelles site for international media on 19 August. A
number of experts will be made available at the site to answer any
questions.
The Government will also be providing regular public updates whenever
we can, and is already regularly updating the Army’s Fromelles’ website
with information as it becomes available.
However, I can assure the House that on all available advice the
Government has received, whether it is from my Department, the
Fromelles Management Board, the Commonwealth War Graves
Commission or independent experts overseeing the project that the
project is being conducted in a very professional and dignified manner.
I thank the House.
Please note: Effective as of 7:00pm, Friday 14 August 2009, the Defence
Media Room has a new telephone number.
The new number is 02 6127 1999.
The existing number will be automatically diverted to the new number for 3
months. The existing after-hours duty mobile 0408 498 664 will remain.
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6277 4771 or 0458 276 619
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664