Last Battle of Fromelles soldiers are laid to rest at new cemetery 19 July 2010

Dignitaries and families of Battle of Fromelles soldiers gather at the new cemetery where the last of the troops to be found are reburied.

On the 94th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles, today, at a poignant service the last of 250 WWI soldiers killed in the battle have been laid to rest in a new cemetery dedicated by HRH The Prince of Wales.

The British and Australian soldiers' bodies were discovered in mass graves, which had laid undiscovered for more than 90 years, and the reburial marks the end of a two-year project to give them a fitting final place of rest.

Rows of new graves of soldiers who died in the Battle of Fromelles in World War One at a new cemetery at Pheasant Wood, France.

The ceremony began when the coffin of the last soldier was borne out of Pheasant Wood, location of the original graves, on a WWI Mark X General Service Wagon pulled by horses from the Kings Troop Royal Horse Artillery.

One-minute silence

From here the procession journeyed through the village of Fromelles and was joined by HRH The Prince of Wales and Her Excellency the Governor- General of Australia Quentin Bryce, along with Chief of the General Staff General Sir David Richards, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, Australian Chief of Army and soldiers from the British and Australian Armies.

The coffin was carried by soldiers from the British and Australian Armies, and a joint Firing Party fired three shots, followed by a one-minute silence.

The service was attended by hundreds of members of British and Australian families whose relatives died in the battle. Many took part in the service, reading extracts from letters and diaries from the loved ones they lost.

Dignity of an individual burial

Wreaths were then laid by HRH The Prince of Wales, HE Quentin Bryce and Monsieur Hubert Falco, the French Minister of State for Defence and Veterans, and the cemetery was dedicated by His Royal Highness.

Defence Minister Lord Astor, who attended the service, said: “Today saw the last of the 250 WWI Battle of Fromelles soldiers honoured with the dignity of an individual burial.

A gold cross and pouch which was uncovered with the remains of one of the soldiers who has been reburied at the new cemetery near Fromelles, France."So far we have been able to identify by name 96 of these soldiers and many others have been confirmed as having served in the Australian and British Army. It is hoped that over the next four years we can determine the names of more.”

Chief of the General Staff General Sir David Richards said: “The British and Australian soldiers who fought and died at the Battle of Fromelles faced tremendous adversity.

"This splendid new cemetery is a moving tribute to them all, and will serve as a reminder of their sacrifice for generations to come.”

'They are lost no longer'

HRH The Duke of Kent, President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said: “It is right and fitting that these men - comrades, allies and even two brothers - lie side by side in this beautiful cemetery - the first new war cemetery to be built by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in fifty years.

"They are lost no longer, and are here at last at peace.”

One of the soldiers who died in the Battle of Fromelles is carried to their final resting place.

Reverend Mitchell Collins from Fife, grandson of Private Mitchell Collins of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who was killed in the Battle of Fromelles, said:  “My father grew up never having met his father, so the Battle of Fromelles will leave an indelible mark on our family.

"Although we have not yet been able to identify Private Collins as one of the soldiers buried here, I am hoping that over the next few years new evidence will come to light which will help us to do so.

"The ceremony today was very moving for my family, and a fitting tribute to those who fell in the battle.”