Fed: Remains of four WW1 diggers found in France

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2003
Fed: Remains of four WW1 diggers found in France

Veterans' Affairs Minister DANNA VALE says the remains of four unknown Australian World
War One soldiers have been found near Hazebrouck in France.

Ms VALE says every effort is being made by the Australian government to identify the
names of the First AIF soldiers.

But she says identification seems most unlikely.

In the event that they're buried as unknown Australian soldiers, the Commonwealth War
Graves Commission will arrange for burial in an appropriate cemetery in France.

Ms VALE says Hazebrouck, near Dunkerque, was used as a casualty clearing station from
1914-17 until heavy German shelling and bombing caused its evacuation.

More than 16,000 members of the First AIF who served on the Western Front are listed
as having no known grave.

AAP RTV dep/rca

KEYWORD: SOLDIERS (CANBERRA)

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