THE HON WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
19 July 2011
The Minister for Defence Sciencse and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, today honoured 14 Australian World War One soldiers at a headstone dedication ceremony in Fromelles, France.
Mr Snowdon marked the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles and joined relatives of the men as named headstones were unveiled at the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery.
“These men died during the bloodiest 24 hours in Australia’s military history—and almost a century on, we can finally give them, and their families, the dignity of a known grave,” Mr Snowdon said.
“I am heartened to be able to share this moment with family members of Australian soldiers—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,” he said.
The 14 Australian soldiers from across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia were identified by name in April this year. [see list attached]
When added to the 96 Australians identified in 2010 this brings the total named soldiers to 110, all of them Australian, and a further 100 soldiers have been identified as serving with the Australian forces.
Two soldiers have been identified as serving with the British forces and 38 soldiers remain ‘known unto God’.
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.
Editor’s note:
- Names of 14 Identified soldiers – are listed in the attachment
- Photos of soldiers: A small number of images are available at the Defence website:
- Contacting relatives – Media wishing to contact the relatives of the soldiers should contact Defence Media Operations on contacts below
- Photos of the ceremony will be available at the Defence website:
For more information, visit the Army website or call 1800 019 090
Media inquiries:
Minister Snowdon’s office: Alice Plate 0400 045 999
Army Headquarters Media: Rukshan Abeyaratne 0417 280 274 (In country)
Defence Media Operations: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
| Service Number | Rank | Given names | Surname | Unit | Enlisted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4811 | Private | Percy | Geason | 55th Battalion | Merewether, NSW |
| 1390 | Private | Herbert James | Haslam | 29th Battalion | North Carlton, VIV |
| 4744 | Private | Albert Clive | Bromley | 53rd Battalion | Brewarrina, NSW |
| | Captain | Thomas Francis | Sheridan | 29th Battalion | Prahan, VIV |
| 4420 | Lance Corporal | William Andrew | Craigie | 54th Battalion | Nyngan, NSW |
| 1590 | Corporal | Charles William | Murray | 30th Battalion | Auburn, NSW |
| 3310 | Corporal | Frederick | Fletcher | 55th Battalion | Oakley Bay, NSW |
| 3256 | Private | Maurice Leslie | Reid | 32nd Battalion | Woods, SA |
| 4299 | Private | Arthur | Russell | 54th Battalion | Kellyville, NSW |
| 3327 | Private | George | Hungerford | 53rd Battalion | Toowoomba, QLD |
| 1168 | Corporal | David Frederick | Livingston | 29th Battalion | East Melbourne, VIC |
| 2056 | Private | Matthew | Hepple | 30th Battalion | Cessnock, NSW |
| 743 | Private | Daniel Bernard | Ryan | 30th Battalion | Goulburn, NSW |
| 311 | Private | Leslie Gordon | Walsh | 31st Battalion | Casino, NSW |