Seven News in Fromelles as Aussie Diggers Finally Laid to Rest

Seven News will broadcast from Fromelles, France, to capture the final chapter in a tragic Australian war story.

For almost 100 years, the fallen diggers of Fromelles were left in the unmarked mass graves of northern France. But on July 19 the world will finally recognise and remember their sacrifice.

Senior correspondent Chris Reason, who has visited the Fromelles site dozens of times in recent years to cover this story, says: “There's no over-stating the significance of this moment - it is saturated in history. Just a few years ago, no-one knew where these diggers were. Now they have been found, they have been remembered, and half of them have their identities back. And on Monday July 19 the last of them receives the burial they should have received long ago. This is a moment nearly 100 years in the making and I'm proud to be covering it for Seven.”

Reason will be on the ground for the historic occasion, which marks the 94th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles - described as the bloodiest 24 hours in Australian history with 5,533 Australian soldiers killed, wounded or missing.

More than 4000 descendants and dignitaries, including Prince Charles and Australia’s Governor General Quentin Bryce, will attend the ceremony. Seven News will provide expert commentary and insight as the remains of the last digger - an Unknown Soldier - are finally laid to rest in the new Fromelles War Cemetery.

The service will mark the end of one of the greatest mysteries of World War I. If it wasn’t for the tireless work of a handful of amateur historians and dedicated families, the men may never have been found. Of the 250 sets of remains recovered, 205 have been identified as Australian. And thanks to an unprecedented DNA investigation, 96 of the men have been named.

The ceremony will be telecast on 7Two at 9.30pm on Monday, July 19.

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