Official Residences
Government House, Canberra Admiralty House, Sydney
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Ladies and gentlemen, we are here to observe the end of a long silence.
A near-century
of questioning and not knowing,
of loving hearts unrequited
Generations of absence
lives extinguished without explanation
missing without proper account.
That is, until today.
Ninety-four years since the slaughter, maiming and displacement of thousands of soldiers on the nearby field:
no-man’s land
the theatre of the devastating Battle of Fromelles.
Members of the 5th Australian Division and the British 61st Division – between them, around 7000 casualties.
Our Diggers:
from Gallipoli, and from home
to unknown territory, with unknown prospects
among them, 25 sets of brothers
2 sets of father and son.
All of them:
loved ones
allied by kinship born of blood and empire
united at the frontline by a common humanity
fine, willing, courageous men.
Two hundred and fifty of them lost and now found:
many, their names returned to them, and hence their histories,
though brief and broken
some, still patiently waiting
as we work to recover what is theirs.
Each and every one of them:
gently, expertly, reverently cradled and carried
from where they were last thrust
side by side, already fallen, more than nine decades ago
to a new resting place
this place
a place of resolution and peace.
Each quiet berth, a home away from home.
Each headstone a memorial to a life fully lived, but swiftly and brutally curtailed.
Each ceremony:
a rightful funeral
military honours and blessings bestowed
an earnest and grateful tribute to their valour under merciless fire
friendship and compassion in the face of death
faith, strength and endurance well after the die was cast.
Long past, though now never to be forgotten.
We hope and pray that they, and all those who care for them, feel their dignity has begun to be restored.
On behalf of all Australians, I honour the men who rest before us.
And, on behalf of all Australians, I sincerely praise the extraordinary effort and commitment, of the many individuals who have made sure that this day happens.
The remarkable work of Australian, Mr Lambis Englezos who first detected the mystery and simply would not let go, until it was solved.
His family, friends and colleagues.
Their fortitude, their belief and their dedication to justice and truth.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The British Ministry of Defence Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre.
The Australian Army.
The teams of specialist researchers, archivists, historians, archeologists, scientists.
And the unfailing and uplifting sense of cooperation, generosity and empathy shared by the people of the French, British and Australian nations.
No matter what war may deliver,
our absolute duty remains,
to give the greatest care and respect,
to those who sacrifice their lives and wellbeing,
in its name.
Soldiers, hear our cry.
We cry in grief for your loss so long ago, and in joy, on your return today.
Lest we forget.
