October 2009
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| Enfield Oil Container |
A number of artefacts analysed this week have been from Australian uniforms, including a shoulder number '3', some belt bucks and braces fittings and buttons. Of particular interest was a rarer buckle which may have come from an officer's 'Sam Browne' leather belt. This particular item will be researched in more detail.
Other items of military equipment included a brass oil container with a 'spoon' for use with the Enfield rifle, a toothbrush and a small pocket knife.
An elaborate brace fitting stamped with 'Shirley President' was also recovered and has been traced to a manufacturer in Massachusetts. More clothes have been analysed this week including boots and fragments of uniform, a brass sleeve holder plus a cardigan, complete with buttons.
A small handmade leather pouch was also analysed, but was found to be empty.
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Australian Belt Buckle |
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Brace Fitting |
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Buckle |
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Cardigan with Buttons |
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Commonwealth Buttons |
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Handmade Leather Pouch |
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Three Badge |
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Toothbrush |
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| Fountain Pen |
2 October 2009
Oxford Archaeology reached another milestone this week with the completion of detailed analysis of all 250 sets of remains. The remains are now being organised according to grave number, layer number and adjacent individuals, using the excavation survey data. This sequencing replicates the relationships of each of the sets of remains as they were buried at Pheasant Wood in 1916, and is an initial preparation for the reburials that will take place from 30 January 2010.
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| Pipe |
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| Shoulder Title |
One piece of knotted leather thong has alternating knot types, probably tied in this way for decoration. It appears to have been fashioned into a bracelet, a very personal insight into how one soldier personalised a spare thong or bootlace.
Writing implements continue to be recovered, including more pencils and a remarkably well preserved 'self filling' fountain pen with a gold nib. More pipes have also been processed and photographed, including one 'Made in France'.
One individual was found with a large number of aluminium buttons. One type of button from a famous, large department store in Sydney, has been found in several instances. It bears the mark: 'Hordern & Sons, Sydney'.
The recording and cataloguing of finds will continue. This work is expected to finish later this week. The anthropological team will spend the next two weeks consolidating all of the records.
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September 2009
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| Boots |
Another milestone was achieved this week with the completion of all primary processing of the 250 sets of remains and many hundreds of artefacts. There are 17 sets of remains left to undergo full anthropological analysis, and 60 artefact assemblages left to record and catalogue. Anthropology will be completed by mid October.
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| Pipe |
A 'cross and wreath' badge, found in the upper chest region of an individual, was also found in Grave Three. This is not a military badge and may be a school or club badge from home. The back is marked 'mexican silver'. This may be a helpful lead for research into identity and will be investigated further. Also of interest are the leather ends from a pair of 'police and firemans' braces, marked as such on the large leather piece from the back.
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| School Badge |
A remarkably well preserved pipe with a bent mouthpiece was also seen this week. It is not clear if the mouthpiece was bent as a result of being buried, or if the pipe was used like this. If the latter, it would suggest that the individual was left handed and may have adjusted the pipe so that the glow of the lit bowl would not alert snipers to his whereabouts. Analysis of the dentition, for pipe notches, may clarify.
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18 September 2009
The archaeological excavation operation that recovered 250 men buried at Pheasant Wood is now in its final stages. This week saw the removal of the marquee and the leveling and ploughing of the site. Restoration of the site is nearly finished except for re-seeding, which will be undertaken next week.
Of the 250 sets of remains in the temporary mortuary, 210 have been fully analysed. Last Friday the full analysis of all remains from Graves Three and Four was completed, with the analysis of remains from Grave Five under-way.
The number of recorded artefacts from Pheasant Wood continues to grow with a total of 1328 now entered into the catalogue. This equates to some 2872 individual finds.
Finds that were sorted and photographed this week provide yet more evidence for Australian soldiers. They include another 'Australia' shoulder badge, a rising sun badge, and a pair of leather straps, one stamped with an incomplete mark for a Brisbane manufacturer, the other stamped with a broad arrow over the initials 'JT'. The latter are unfortunately not personal initials.
Among personal items are decorated fittings from braces stamped with the French maker's name 'Ch.Guyot', parts of an 'Onoto' patent self-filling fountain pen, and large pocket knife.
It is anticipated that all work will be completed on site by 16th October.
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| Excavation Complete |
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| Tobacco Pouch |
On the 3 September 2009, Oxford Archaeology completed the archaeological excavation of Pheasant Wood. A total of 250 soldiers were recovered. As a consequence, the operations on site are winding down. The last primary radiography surveys have been undertaken and the last DNA samples have been couriered to LGC Forensics in the United Kingdom.
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| Entrenching Tool |
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| Shoes |
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| Leather Money Belt |
In the coming week the marquee will be taken down and removed from site. The ground will then be made even and re-seeded to return it to its pre-excavation state. Going by current rates, anthropological processing should finish in the next two to three weeks. It is currently anticipated that the team from Oxford Archaeology will be leaving Pheasant Wood before the end of October.
Fromelles Management Board Report
The Fromelles Project is a joint undertaking of The Australian and British Governments to give 250 World War One soldiers the respect of individual graves and the possibility of a named headstone.
It has been distressing for many families to read recent reports in the media that suggested problems with the project. These claims were baseless and drew focus away from the important task of laying these men to rest.
In light of that inaccurate media coverage, here is a report on proceedings to date, detailing progress across all aspects of the project.
Fromelles Management Board Report