Formal ID of 11 ‘unknown’ soldiers on 11/11
Eleven Australian soldiers who lost their lives during the First World War have been formally identified, restoring their names to the historical record more than a century after their deaths.
FILE PHOTO: By Corporal Jake Sims.
Previously commemorated as unknown soldiers, the 11 men will now be remembered by name, ensuring their service and sacrifice are recognised by future generations.
Identifications followed extensive archaeological, historical and DNA investigations conducted by the Australian Army’s Unrecovered War Casualties – Army (UWC-A) team in partnership with the Office of Australian War Graves, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, French authorities, independent researchers and descendants of the identified soldiers.
The following soldiers have now been formally identified:
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Sergeant Charles Henry Nicholls, 46th Battalion AIF, of Ballarat, Victoria, killed in action on 30 August 1916 and buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 2, France. No photo supplied.
Second Lieutenant James Albert McMichael, 37th Battalion AIF, of Melbourne, Victoria, killed in action on 12 October 1917 and buried at Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Belgium. No photo supplied.
Additionally, the following four soldiers from the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance AIF, all killed in action on 5 May 1917 during the Second Battle of Bullecourt:
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Corporal Harry Maitland Whiteoak, of Preston, Victoria. No photo supplied.
Lance Corporal Alexander Joseph Jack, of Brunswick, Victoria. No photo supplied.
The four members of the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance were recovered by UWC-A during an archaeological excavation at Riencourt-lès-Cagnicourt, France, in April 2025.
The men were killed when an artillery shell struck a Regimental Aid Post established in a railway cutting during the Second Battle of Bullecourt.
Defence Minister Richard Marles said that, as we pause on Remembrance Day to honour all Australians who have served, we also remember these 11 soldiers who gave their lives during the First World War and whose identities have remained unresolved for more than a century.
“These men died at Fromelles, the Somme, Bullecourt, Menin Road, Passchendaele, Amiens and during the Advance to the Hindenburg Line.
“They served in infantry battalions, machine-gun units and field ambulance formations, and each made the ultimate sacrifice in service to Australia.”
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said that, on Remembrance Day, we honour the service and sacrifice of 11 Australian soldiers of the First World War who, for more than a century, were known only as unknown Australian soldiers.
“Through the dedication of military historians, archaeologists, researchers, forensic specialists and family members, these soldiers have now been identified and will be commemorated by name for the first time in more than a century.
“The identification of these soldiers who were killed in action across France and Belgium will provide long awaited answers for families who have experienced generations of uncertainty,” Mr Keogh said.
“Our commitment to this ongoing work is the ultimate expression of the timeless adage – ‘Lest we forget’.”
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EDITOR’S NITPICK: The above 11 soldiers were never ‘unkown’ and have always been commemorated by name, especially by their families, friends and community. It was only the final resting place of their earthly remains that was marked ‘unknown’. Today’s news is a very welcome development for the families, who now have the piece of mind that comes with the knowledge of a specific gravesite for their lost boys – and the satisfaction and relief in knowing that there are good people who care enough to solve their century-old desperate puzzle.
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