Construction of new cemetery begins at WWI mass graves
2 Jul 09
Construction of the first new cemetery to be built by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in 50 years has begun at the site of the First World War mass graves at Fromelles, northern France. Report by Leigh Morrison.
The excavation of the site at Fromelles in northern France began in May 2009
[Picture: Tim Loveless at Oxford Archaeology]
Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery will provide a final individual resting place for up to 400 British and Australian soldiers who died at the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916.
Their recently discovered remains are now being recovered from several mass graves nearby by a team of archaeological specialists from Oxford.
During their search of the ground, the recovery teams have found several items of historical interest including uniform adornments, such as belt hooks and vegetable ivory buttons, which are particular to certain uniforms and will greatly assist in identifying whether individuals are of British or Australian nationality.
Other historical finds include the buckles and press studs from the pattern 1908 web equipment and, of particular interest, a toothbrush and a small religious amulet, possibly gold-plated.
The archaeologists also had a brush with danger and ordered to evacuate their search area after a suspected unexploded piece of ordnance was found in grave one. However, the item was identified as a large piece of exploded shrapnel and the site was declared safe for work to continue.
Archaeologists conducting excavation work
[Picture: Tim Loveless at Oxford Archaeology]
The activity at Fromelles is being overseen by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) and progress can be followed through their website. See Related Links >>>
Media Supervisor at the CWGC, Judith Donald, said:
"Two months into the project and things are going well. Despite difficult working conditions the Oxford Archaeology team are into their stride in the Pheasant Wood recovery compound with work well advanced on two of the burial pits and the ground about to be broken on two of the others.
"The contract has now been signed for DNA testing with LGC Forensics and sampling is underway to find out if the DNA is viable. Meanwhile the CWGC has begun work on the new cemetery where the recovered remains will be buried early next year.
The cemetery construction site
[Picture: Commonwealth War Graves Commission]
"The site has been cleared and levelled and the piling needed to stabilise the cemetery structure has now been finished with the aid of a special 62-ton machine. The drainage system needs to be installed next before above-ground construction can start late next month."
The process of recovering the bodies will last until September 2009 and it is hoped by both the UK and Australian Governments that identification of some of the fallen will be possible.
Work on the new cemetery is expected to be finished by December 2009. It will be built to the same high standards as the Commission’s existing First World War memorials and cemeteries in France, using similar materials and horticulture, but taking account of modern construction methods and accessibility requirements.
Anyone believing they may be related to British soldiers buried at Fromelles should contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre, Historic Casualty & Deceased Estates Casework, Service Personnel and Veterans Agency, Building 182, Imjin Barracks, Gloucester GL3 1HW, Email: jccchistcasso3@spva.mod.uk, Tel: 01452 712612 Extension 6303.
The Australian Department of Defence has developed a working list of the First Australian Imperial Forces soldiers it believes may be buried at the site and is encouraging relatives to register their details. See Related Links >>> for further information.