The testing program sets out to identify the individuals that have been killed in combat and will be the largest undertaking of this kind to date.

From the press release:

The group burial in Fromelles was confirmed during a limited excavation in May 2008 and it is thought that between 250 and 300 Australian and British soldiers were buried there by German forces after the Battle of Fromelles, which took place in 1916.

The decision to start full-scale DNA testing has been made after a successful pilot study which tested a cross-section of the Fromelles remains. Samples were taken from the teeth and bones of remains found in different parts of the burial sites to assess the overall quality and quantity of DNA that could be expected to be obtained.

A full archaeological excavation of the site is expected to be completed by the end of September and an identification board will convene in March 2010 to consider the available evidence that may lead to the identification of individual soldiers.

As well as the remains of bodies, the archaeological excavation has already resulted in the discovery of several items, including uniform adornments, such as belt hooks and vegetable ivory buttons, which are particular to certain uniforms and will assist in identifying whether individuals are of British or Australian nationality.

Following the formal identifications the soldiers will be laid to rest with the due dignity they deserve.

• My original post

• Fromells military cemetary web page

• Commonwealth War Grave Commission

The day was conceived due to a desire to include armed forces members who are still serving their country into the Veterans Day celebrations.  This idea was supported by a petition on the Number10 website, which led to the very first Armed Forces Day on 27th June 2009.

The decision to hold the event meant a lot of work had to be put in to make the day a success.  Local authorities, towns and cities were told about the idea and invited to bid to host the event.

When the organisers went on line to set up a Facebook group they found that a fan page had already been set up and that it already had 15,000 people following.  By the time the event took place the number of fans following had risen to 100,000.

A special flag was designed for the day which could be purchased from the official website where lots of free materials including banners and badges for websites can be found. Four of the Royal Horticultural Society Gardens recreated the flag as a floral display.  Some of the plants used in the display even had military names.  The society even linked up with the Sun to produce a design that could be downloaded and planted out by anyone.

The careful planning led to a successful national event which was held at Chatham Docks and was supported by more than 200 events around the country.  Military bands, display teams, schools and military stations were sent information in the hopes that they would take part.  Events were not limited to the United Kingdom.  Some far flung locations such as Cyprus, Afghanistan, Iraq and Brunei also marked the event.

The team have set themselves a challenge for future events.  They hope to increase the appeal of the celebration to the  14-25 year age group.

It has now been confirmed that Cardiff will be hosting next year’s event on 26th June 2010:

The announcement was marked with the RAF Falcons Parachute Display team handing the Lord Mayor of Cardiff the 2010 Armed Forces Day Flag. Lord Mayor, Cllr Brian Griffiths, said:

It’s an honour and a privilege for Cardiff to be the host city of the 2010 Armed Forces Day. Hosting next year’s event gives Cardiff and the whole of Wales the opportunity to pledge our support to the brave men and women who not only served our country in the past but continue to do so today.

Wales has a very strong military history with Cardiff housing the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welsh at Maindy Barracks. Plans have already begun to make next year’s event something of which both Wales and the UK can be justly proud.”

• Official website

• Facebook group

• Twitter page

Info from DefenceFocus issue #233 August 2009 and the Armed Forces Day official website

Admiral Sir Ian Garnett KCB, Chairman of the Chatham Historic Dockland Trust, said:

It is both an honour and a privilege for The Historic Dockyard Chatham, in the heart of Medway, Kent, to be the venue for the UK’s first National Armed Forces Day. With over 400 years of military history, we are looking forward to arranging a family event that will recognise the many achievements of today’s Armed Forces and veterans.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) have set up a new website that explains a current project, which sets out to move the remains of more than 600 casualties from Pheasant Wood to new military cemetery at Fromelles for their reburial.

In May 2008, after several years of painstaking research and investigation, five burial pits dating from the First World War were identified at Pheasant Wood, near Fromelles in northern France.  The pits, which have lain undisturbed for more than 90 years, are believed to contain the remains of between 250 and 400 British and Australian soldiers, buried behind German lines after the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916.

The British and Australian governments have asked the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to oversee the operation to recover the remains and to create a new military cemetery at Fromelles for their reburial.  The work began in May 2009 and will be completed by July 2010.

The website explains that the attack at Fromelles took place during the night of 19th July 1916 and that by the time the action was called off in the morning, 5,533 Australians had either lost their lives or were wounded and missing.  The casualties amongst the British who fought alongside them were 1,547.

I think this is worthy project and a fitting way to commemorate those who suffered to make the world a better place.

Around the country many events are taking place to celebrate the day, with the national event taking place at Chatham Docks.

The MoD is encouraging councils, businesses and homes across the country to show their support by flying the flag .  I will pledge to fly the banner on my blog on the 27th I hope some of you take up the challenge too.

Find out more about Armed Forces Day