Unknown Australian soldier reinterred at Polygon Wood

Australian soldiers participated in the reinterment of an unknown Australian soldier at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood in Belgium yesterday.

In April 2013, the human remains of the Australian soldier were found during agricultural work at a farm near Broodseinde, Belgium.

Following the handover of the remains to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Australian Army being notified, a three year investigation ensued.

The investigation was unable to identify the body so, on 20 July 2016, the soldier was laid to rest alongside his wartime comrades in the Polygon Wood cemetery.

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Angus Campbell along with the Australian Ambassador to Belgium Mark Higgie, the Ambassador to Ireland Ruth Adler and the Mayor of Zonnebeke Dirk Cardoen were among those who attended the funeral service for the unknown soldier.

The Australian Army commemorated the unknown soldier’s reburial with a 12-man firing party which fired three volleys as the coffin was lowered into the ground.

Six soldiers performed the role of pall bearers and, with a number of other personnel, acted as ushers during the ceremony..

 

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