WWI Soldiers DNA tests begin

This story is embargoed until 10 Aug 2009

DNA tests on remains of hundreds of WW1 soldiers

The previous page was: "Veterans Village"

DNA tests will commence this week on the remains of hundreds of British and Australian World War I soldiers discovered in northern France. It will be the largest undertaking to identify individuals killed in combat ever commissioned. In a joint announcement with his Australian counterpart Greg Combet, British Defence Minister Kevan Jones has confirmed that a full DNA testing programme will be conducted to identify the remains so that these soldiers can be “laid to rest with the dignity they deserve”.

The group burial in Fromelles was confirmed during a limited excavation in May 2008 and it is thought that between 250-300 Australian and British soldiers were buried there by German forces after the Battle of Fromelles.

Veterans Village

The battle in Northern France

The Battle of Fromelles began on 19 July 1916 and was the first major battle on the Western Front to involve both British and Australian troops.

In total, the 61st British Division suffered losses of 1,547 either killed, wounded, taken prisoner or missing and the 5th Australian Division suffered 5,533 similar losses.

The decision to start full-scale DNA testing has been made after a successful pilot study which tested a cross section of the Fromelles remains. Samples were taken from the teeth and bones of remains found in different parts of the burial sites to assess the overall quality and quantity of DNA that could be expected to be obtained.

A full archaeological excavation of the site is expected to be completed by the end of September and an identification board will convene in March 2010 to consider the available evidence that may lead to the identification of individual soldiers.

Veterans Minister Kevan Jones said

"This is an important step forward in the process of trying to identify the WW1 soldiers buried at Fromelles. DNA is just one part of the identity puzzle and our experts will be examining all available evidence in their attempts to confirm the identities of these men."

"Each one of these soldiers will be laid to rest with the dignity they deserve and we owe it to them to do all we can to identify them."

Greg Combet

Australian Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel & Science

“It is a great result that viable DNA has been obtained. The delicate condition of the remains, the soil surrounding them and high water table have made the experts’ job extremely difficult. Every one of these men will be given a dignified burial with full military honours. Putting names on their headstones is an additional benefit.”

Anyone who believes they may be related to a soldier killed at Fromelles should contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre by calling 01452 712612, extension 6303, or by emailing Fromelles@spva.mod.uk

Families already registered will be contacted with details about the DNA testing process.

FOXHOUND

New Patrol Vehicle

FOXHOUND ENTERS THE FRAY AS CONTRACT SIGNED FOR NEW PROTECTED PATROL VEHICLE

The Armed Forces are a step closer to their next generation of Light Protected Patrol Vehicle after a £180 million contract was signed with Force Protection Europe (FPE) to build 200 of the new vehicles. Named Foxhound, this new vehicle has been designed to provide unprecedented levels of blast protection for its size and weight. Light and agile, Foxhound will allow troops to carry out a wide range of tasks in environments that may restrict larger, heavier vehicles – for example moving with ease through narrow alleyways or crossing bridges. Speaking at a Motorsport to Defence (M2D) conference held at the headquarters of the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation at Abbey Wood in Bristol, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Peter Luff, said:

“I’m delighted that this important contract has been signed – it shows the real progress that’s being made to ensure our frontline troops are able to use these versatile and highly protected vehicles as soon as possible.

“Using state of the art technology from a range of areas including the motorsport industry, this UK-designed vehicle demonstrates the Government’s commitment to providing our troops with the world class equipment they need.

“The jobs created and sustained through the manufacture of the Foxhound will also provide a boost to local economies across the UK.”

Foxhound incorporates Formula One racing technology and was devised by engineers from the World Rally Championship, McLaren F1 and BMW. Its engine can be removed and replaced in just 30 minutes and it can drive away from an ambush on only three wheels. Crew and passengers also sit inside a protective pod, which can be quickly adapted to transform the patrol vehicle into an ambulance or supply truck.

The first vehicles are expected to be available to troops for training in 2011, and will add to the wide array of protected vehicles already being used on operations in Afghanistan, including Mastiff and Ridgback.

Modern-day Pages Fast Boats Pages Joe Wezley Pages

MOD COMPLETES REVIEW

INTO WOMEN IN CLOSE COMBAT

The MOD has completed a review into the policy that excludes female members of the Armed Forces from carrying out ground close-combat roles and decided that it should remain unchanged. Women play an active part in front-line operations, undertaking crucial posts in areas such as logistics, artillery and engineering but they cannot join the infantry or serve in small tactical combat arms teams where they are required to close with and kill the enemy face to face.

The policy was last reviewed in 2002 and the European Commission Equal Treatment Directive requires the UK to conduct a reassessment every 8 years. Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2002 meant there was considerably more evidence of women serving on the front line to be reviewed.

The study looked at recent literature on the effectiveness of mixed gender teams in close-combat roles; the roles that women are undertaking in current operations; the experiences of both male and female military personnel who have served together on the front line and evidence from other countries who have deployed women to close with and kill the enemy.

Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, Andrew Robathan, said: “The Service Chiefs and I all agree that women are fundamental to the operational effectiveness of Britain’s Armed Forces, bringing talent and skills across the board. Their capability is not in doubt; they win the highest decorations for valour and demonstrate independence and initiative.

“We looked closely at the findings of this review but the conclusions were inconclusive. There was no evidence to show that a change in current policy would be beneficial or risk free and so a decision was made to take a precautionary approach and maintain the current position.”

There is no question that some women would be able to meet the standard required of personnel performing in close-combat roles, both physically and psychologically. The key issue is the potential impact of having both men and women in small teams. Under the conditions of high-intensity close-quarter battle, team cohesion becomes of much greater importance, and failure can have far-reaching and grave consequences.

None of the research has answered the key question of the impact that gender mixing would have on the combat team in close combat conditions. Accordingly, the MOD has decided that the case for lifting the current restrictions on women serving in close combat teams has not been made.

The next Link below will be: "Royal Navy"

WWI Soldiers DNA Royal Navy

"Pirates Trilogy" $20