This year marks the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles. The battle was the first action Australian troops fought on the Western Front. On July 19, 1916, waves of Australian soldiers from the 5th Australian Division launched a charge against German troops. The soldiers were outgunned, outnumbered and outmanoeuvred. The battle saw more than 5,000 Australian soldiers were killed, wounded or taken prisoner, the greatest loss in a 24 hour time period in the nation’s history. This was just one of many major battles fought by the Australian Imperial Force on the Western Front.
A commemorative ceremony was held at the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery in France on July 19, 2011 to honour those Australians who served on the Western Front.
The ceremony was dedicated to the erection of headstones for 14 Australian soldiers who have been positively identified through the ongoing investigations funded by the Australian and British Governments.
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Mr Warren Snowdon joined the relatives of the men who were identified.
"It is very, very important for Australia to understand that this Battle of Fromelles was the bloodiest 24 hours in Australian military history,” Mr Snowdon said.
"It is proof that no matter how many years have passed, Australians do not forget those who have sacrificed their lives in times of war.”
"We just need to make sure that we don't forget but most importantly commemorate and honour their service and their sacrifice," Mr Snowdon said.
The project to recover, reinter, identify and commemorate 250 soldiers discovered in France in 2009 continues until 2014 and relatives of soldiers who died in the battle are encouraged to contact Army, in efforts to identify the remaining 140 men.
Mr Snowdon says the project to identify other soldiers will continue until 2014. He has urged relatives of those who died in the Battle of Fromelles to come forward with information.