Artefacts found in Fromelles graves

The remains of a First World War gas mask recovered during the dig.

THE work on recovering the bodies of British and Australian soldiers buried in mass graves during World War One near Fromelles in northern France has turned up some intriguing objects.

Personal items recovered include a heart-shaped leather pouch containing a solid gold cross and a copper alloy crucifix, a leather heart, a leather coin purse with its contents and a leather wrist strap.

The conditions within the graves have ensured many of the items recovered by the Oxford Archaeology team have been very well preserved.

Last week a whole boot with sock and inner stocking were recovered and even a paper train ticket for a second class return from Fremantle to Perth, where Western Australian soldiers signed up for duty. Fremantle was their point of embarkation for Europe.

Part of the work involves the extraction of DNA from the bodies to try and it is hoped some of the soldiers will be able to be traced to living relatives.

Families who believe their relatives may have lost their lives at Fromelles are urged to check the lists of casualties at www.fromelles.org.

Eventually all the remains will be buried in a new Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery currently under construction at the site.