Fromelles: Who is buried at Pheasant Wood?
On 2 April 2009, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon Warren Snowdon MP, announced that Army had compiled a list of those First Australian Imperial Force soldiers it believes may be buried at Pheasant Wood, Fromelles, France.
“Following intensive research and consultation, we have identified a list of 191 Australian First World War soldiers who we believe may be among those buried at Fromelles,” Mr Snowdon said.
He cautioned that the list was not definitive and that research into the group burial at Fromelles would continue; both in Australia and abroad.
“Given the information available, it is impossible to be absolutely certain who is buried at Pheasant Wood. However we, and many other historians and interest groups, believe this list provides a solid foundation for further investigation," Mr Snowdon said.
The working list of names is a result of intensive research conducted by Professor Peter Dennis, an independent historian contracted by Army, and follows consultation with several well-recognised War historians late last year. Those involved in the research include individuals from Friends of the Fifteenth Brigade; Friends and Family of the First Australian Imperial Forces; Australian War Memorial; Army History Unit; Fromelles.net; Office of Australian War Graves, and Monash University.
The working list is available for download here [PDF-12.5 KB].
Minister Snowdon's full media release is available here.
People whose relative appears on the list should register with Army on 1800 019 090 or through the webform here.