From “The Newcastle Herald” (online)
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/local/news/general/hunter-wwi-diggers-honoured-at-frommelles/1888450.aspxHunter WWI Diggers honoured at Fromelles
By Martin Dinneen
19 Jul, 2010 04:00 AM
The 94-year wait for 13 Hunter diggers to find their final resting place has come to an end with a ceremony today to honour the fallen in Fromelles and to open the new Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery.
The cemetery is the grave site of 250 British and Australian soldiers who died on July 19, 1916, in the Battle of Fromelles. Australia lost 5533 men in 24hours.
Catherine Murray, of Adamstown Heights, the great niece of Henry ‘‘Harry’’ Cressy, 22, who died in Australia’s bloodiest night of battle, said the approaching ceremony signified closure for her family.
She told the Newcastle Herald of her feelings before the ceremony, to begin about 8pm AEST today.
‘‘From the moment we were notified that Harry had been identified, our immediate reaction was that we would be here for the ceremony,’’ Mrs Murray said from France.
‘‘I know that I will be feeling quite emotional during the ceremony.’’
Mrs Murray said she knew from diary accounts and correspondence that her great uncle, from Boolaroo, had died in the battle.
He was killed only days after arriving in the trenches
‘‘I got a good sleep after the bombardment, but I was terribly nervous,’’ his last diary entry reads.
‘‘I got three little pieces of shell out of my hand this morning.’’
A letter by Private WJ Wilson describes Private Cressy’s death to his parents, Broughman and Ann.
‘‘When I got to him, I asked him where he was hit, but he never answered me so I at once cut his tunic and shirt off and discovered the wound and dressed it and, after doing so, I thought he was done as he was bleeding from the mouth, nose and ears so I held him in my arms till he passed away.’’
Hunter military historian David Dial said he believed 13 Hunter men were among the 250 bodies found in a mass grave dug by German forces after the battle.
Seven of 13 Hunter men have been identified by DNA. They are Private Harold John Bourke, Private Henry Alfred Cressy, Private George Croft, Private Charles Henry Hawcroft, Private William Bruce Higgins, Corporal Hassall Marsden Kendall and Private George Henry Lucre.
To Mrs Murray, the horrors of Fromelles are ‘‘Australia’s secret tragedy’’.
‘‘At school we learnt a lot about WWI and the battles. Anzac Day and memorials honour many places but Fromelles has little reference,’’ she said.
‘‘I am pleased that there will be recognition for the fallen at Fromelles.’’
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