First of Fromelles' Missing Diggers to be Identified
Monday, February 22, 2010 at 4:39PM Some Wonderful news from Maj-Gen Mike O’Brien, the man responsible for the Pheasant Wood exhumation and reburials: the first wave of those Missing Diggers will be identified by Anzac Day.
The DNA testing of the Pheasant Wood remains has been far more successful than at first thought. In fact, I understand that all bar six of the remains have now yielded viable DNA.
Considering that around 70 percent of the Missing Diggers have had a descendant register with the Army and provide a DNA sample, this gives great hope for a substantial proportion of the Missing to be finally identified and buried under a marked headstone.
It’s a long-awaited vindication of the constant claims by Lambis Englezos and his supporters that, not only could the Missing Diggers (and Tommies) be found, but the majority of them could also be identified.
What a moving and memorable ceremony awaits those who make the journey to Fromelles on 19th July for the official commemoration of the new cemetery and the unveiling of the named headstones.
The Missing Diggers’ families have waited 94 years for this.
Reader Comments (1)
The Australian Army contacted me today with the most wonderful news. My great great uncle Private John Turner has been formally identified. After all these years I now know for certain where he is buried and he now has a fitting and proper resting place. I hope one day to go to Fromelles to visit his headstone.