Men of Fromelles

In the lead up to Remembrance Day newspapers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have released a series of articles based on the work of Tim Lycett and Sandra Playle, the founders of www.fromelles.net . Tim & Sandra, both FFFAIF members, have spent the past two years tracing the family trees of the ‘missing from Fromelles’. Their work has brought to light photographs of 85 of the ‘lost’ Diggers of Fromelles.

Click here  to a view a Multimedia presentation Pheasant Wood The Lost Diggers of Fromelles which supports the newspaper articles and includes:
*Who do these faces belong to?
*The names and stories of the 87 Fromelles men pictured in the newspaper articles;
*Paola Totaro’s special report and interviews relating to the work Tim Lycett and Sandra Playle have undertaken to reveal the identities of more than 190 lost soldiers and an interview with British Historian Peter Barton.

To read more about the research work of Tim and Sandra and the Diggers, follow the links below:

The Melbourne Age:
War and pieces of history
At last, we can see faces of the Fromelles Fallen
The story of Robert Courtney Green
The story of Leslie Leister
The story of John ‘James’ Gordon
The story of Edgar William Parham

The Sydney Morning Herald:
Face to face with the ‘lost’ 85 Diggers of Fromelles 

The Brisbane Times:
Bringing war heroes to life

Photo: Private Alfred Momplhait [Australian War Memorial Collection]

Multimedia presentation: Pheasant Wood The Lost Diggers of Fromelles

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Other Fromelles reports in the media this week include: 

The West Australian: Dreams lost in return ticket of Unknown soldier

A comprehensive article from the Daily Mail in the UK:
And still they find the fallen – The extraordinary inspiring operation identify honour hundreds Tommies just discovered mass grave near Somme.

Additional personal stories in The Tweed Daily News:

Carefully digging up the past
and
Hoping to find long lost uncle

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The Families and Friends of the First AIF applauds the joint Australian–UK decision, announced by The Hon Greg Combet AM MP and the Hon Kevan Jones MP, to conduct a full DNA testing program on the remains of Australian and British soldiers found in mass graves at Pheasant Wood (Fromelles), and for their continuing commitment to identify as many of the fallen as is possible. We also thank the Australian, UK and French governments for affording dignified individual reburials for these soldiers, buried by German soldiers following the Battle of Fromelles on 19/20 July 1916, in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery presently under construction at Fromelles.

The Shrine

THE SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE MELBOURNE
DECLARED A NATIONAL MEMORIAL

Photo: The Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne. 11 November 1934
[State Library of Victoria]

The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne was dedicated 75 years ago on 11 November 1934.

The Shrine of Remembrance has been declared a national memorial by The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin.

“The Shrine is an iconic memorial and it is fitting that, at the time of its 75^th anniversary commemorations, it is formally recognised as one of Australia’s most significant memorials,” Mr Griffin said.

The Minister made the announcement at the launch of A Place to Remember – A History of the Shrine of Remembrance, a book charting the Shrine’s history from its inception to the present day.  The launch is one of a number of events marking the 75^th anniversary of the dedication of the Shrine on 11 November 1934.

“Built to remember the 114,000 thousand Victorians who served in the Great War, including the 19,000 who did not come home, the Shrine is a uniquely Victorian creation that has become a symbol to many Australians,” Mr Griffin said.

“Designed and built by Victorians using mainly Victorian materials the Shrine was intended to stand permanently as a monument of remembrance.

“Under the Military Memorials of National Significance Act, an eligible memorial must be of an appropriate, scale, design and standard, and be dignified and symbolic. 

“It must be a memorial for the sole purpose of commemorating a significant aspect of Australia’s wartime history and must have a major role in community commemorative activities.

“Also, the memorial must be owned or managed by an authority at the state, territory or local government level and be maintained by that authority.

“Clearly the Shrine of Remembrance meets all these criteria, and I am proud to today sign the instrument making this formal declaration.”

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An Invitation to join FFFAIF member Professor Bruce Scates, Director of the National Centre for Australian Studies as he charts the Shrine’s history from the first fatalities of the Gallipoli Landing to the ‘Memory Wars’ present day. The author of the Cambridge history of the Shrine, Professor Scates will bring the building to life though powerful personal stories, archival intrigues and a stunning visual archive.

Wednesday 18 November 2009, 5:30 for 6:00pm
Federation Square Melbourne
Bookings phone: 03 9661 8100

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The Families and Friends of the First AIF applauds the joint Australian–UK decision, announced by The Hon Greg Combet AM MP and the Hon Kevan Jones MP, to conduct a full DNA testing program on the remains of Australian and British soldiers found in mass graves at Pheasant Wood (Fromelles), and for their continuing commitment to identify as many of the fallen as is possible. We also thank the Australian, UK and French governments for affording dignified individual reburials for these soldiers, buried by German soldiers following the Battle of Fromelles on 19/20 July 1916, in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery presently under construction at Fromelles.

45th Btn Plaque unveiled

45^th Battalion Commemorative Plaque

Photo: 45^th Battalion Commemorative Plaque

On Saturday 7 November 2009 a Commemorative Plaque to recognise the sacrifice and service of the members of the 45^th Infantry Battalion was unveiled at Mortdale Memorial Park, Boundary Road Mortdale in front of a crowd of over 100 people.

The Catafalque and Colour Party for the ceremony were members of the 233 Regional Cadet Unit – St George. The Australian Army Band provided the music for the occasion. Members of the Association Des Anciens Combattants Francais were also present at the service.

Photo: 233 Regional Cadet Unit – St George
provided the Catafalque and Colour Party

The Memorial Plaque was arranged by the 45^th Battalion Association, The St George Regiment with the assistance of the Hurstville City Council and Mortdale RSL Sub-Branch and financed by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Photo: The Address by Councillor Philip Sansom, Mayor of Hurstville with Master of Ceremonies WO1 Wally Thompson OAM (Rtd), 45^th Battalion Association

The Plaque was unveiled by Major General R. Sharp. 

During the service Theodore Arfaras, representing the President of the Association Des Anciens Combattants Francais presented the 45^th Battalion Association with a World War 1 1914 French Army Helmet, in original condition. Mr Arfaras said “this helmet displays the grenade and anchor which means it was worn by a member of the colonial armies of France also known by the nickname the Black Force of General Mangin. I thought it was right that the Aussies have a memento of this day as a token of gratitude from the French ….. this helmet was an appropriate one’.

Photo: 1914 French Army Helmet

FFFAIF was represented by its President Russell Curley with Vice President Jim Munro, Secretary Chris Munro, Membership Secretary Alan Kitchen and Members Sean McManus and John Minehan in attendance.

Photo: FFFAIF President Russell Curley laid a wreath
on behalf of FFFAIF Members

Photo: Master of Ceremonies WO1 Wally Thompson OAM (Rtd),
45^th Battalion Association

Photo: Members of 45^th Battalion Association

Photo: Representatives of the Association Des Anciens Combattants Francais and the Australian Army soldiers who accepted custody of the 1914 French Army Helmet

Photo: Commemorative Certificate
produced by 45^th Battalion Association

If you are interested in finding out more about the 45^th Battalion Association  please contact the Association’s Secretary:
The Secretary
45th Battalion
P.O. Box 292
Rozelle
NSW 2039

The photos of the service were taken by FFFAIF member Chris Munro.

*****

The Families and Friends of the First AIF applauds the joint Australian–UK decision, announced by The Hon Greg Combet AM MP and the Hon Kevan Jones MP, to conduct a full DNA testing program on the remains of Australian and British soldiers found in mass graves at Pheasant Wood (Fromelles), and for their continuing commitment to identify as many of the fallen as is possible. We also thank the Australian, UK and French governments for affording dignified individual reburials for these soldiers, buried by German soldiers following the Battle of Fromelles on 19/20 July 1916, in the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery presently under construction at Fromelles.