Fed: Remains of WWI diggers found in France

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2003
Fed: Remains of WWI diggers found in France

CANBERRA, April 19 AAP - The remains of four unknown Australian World War One soldiers
had been found near Hazebrouck, France, Veterans' Affairs Minister Danna Vale said today.

Ms Vale said every effort was being made by the Australian government to identify the
First Australian Imperial Force soldiers.

"However, on the basis of artefacts recovered with the remains, identification seems,
at this stage, most unlikely," she said in a statement.

"In the event that they are buried as unknown Australian soldiers, the Commonwealth
War Graves Commission will arrange for burial in an appropriate cemetery in France.

Ms Vale said Hazebrouck, near Dunkerque, was used as a casualty clearing station from
1914-17 until heavy German shelling and bombing caused its evacuation.

A British Red Cross Hospital was stationed in the town during September and October 1918.

She said 50 Australian World War One casualties were buried at Hazebrouck Communal
Cemetery, although the final resting place of the four newly-found soldiers had not been
finalised.

"These four men made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation and they are remembered
through their inclusion on one of the Commission Memorials to the Missing," Ms Vale said.

It was the first discovery of missing Australian soldiers from World War One since
the remains of Private Russell George Bosisto of the 27th Battalion were discovered near
Pozieres in 1998.

More than 16,000 members of the First AIF who served on the Western Front are listed
as having no known grave.

AAP dep/kim/br

KEYWORD: SOLDIERS

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