Bringing together an international team of forensic and investigative professionals, a total of 250 soldiers and some 6,000 associated artefacts were recovered and examined from the graves. An unused return train ticket from Freemantle to Perth, which had been tucked inside a gas mask, and a lock of hair, contained within a leather heart, are among some of the most poignant discoveries and are powerful reminders of the realities of the lives of the soldiers. The information obtained from these, other artefacts and skeletons, along side DNA and historical evidence, has resulted in 167 of the soldiers, all Australian, having their identities restored, far exceeding initial expectations when the project was first conceived, around 2005.
Fromelles is the largest recovery and identification operation of First World War soldiers ever undertaken using modern science. With just six months to excavate and analyse the graves, and operating under intense media scrutiny, several innovative techniques were devised to meet the unique requirements of this project. A special site compound was designed that facilitated continuity between excavation, recovery and analysis and allowed a fully integrated approach between recovery and analysis. A software programme was developed to help interpret commingled remains, and a ‘chain of custody’ approach meant that human remains and associated artefacts had to be signed for whenever they were moved. In these respects, the project broke new ground and has arguably become the ‘gold standard’ for projects of this nature.
Following the completion of the site operation, in early 2010, the findings were considered alongside DNA and historical evidence by subject matter experts, including a representative from OA, for an Identification Board. This was undertaken at Australia House, London, and, apart for 2015, took place annually until 2019. Subsequently, efforts to identify the remaining soldiers passed to Australian specialists, under their Unrecovered War Casualties division.
Thirteen years has passed since OA’s field operation took place in Fromelles. For all of those involved it has been a profoundly humbling experience and an immense honour to be entrusted with such a significant undertaking. OA is incredibly proud of being part of a team that has delivered such a successful outcome. Fromelles is one of OA’s most important and rewarding projects that the company has ever undertaken in its 50 years of service.
As Australia and New Zealand observe a national day of commemoration for victims of war and for recognition of the role of their armed forces on 25th April (ANZAC Day), Oxford Archaeology pays particular thought to the soldiers, Australian and British, who fought and died in the battle of Fromelles.