The Battle of Fromelles was one of those bloody Western Front quagmires that were such a tragic feature of World War I, with the remains of a local soldier now identified more than a century after the conflict.

Local historian Patrick Bourke recently contacted Dubbo Photo News with an Australian War Memorial announcement, revealing that the remains of one local lad, the late Private Herbert James Graham, were among seven Australians identified from an unmarked grave in northern France.

“Private Graham died during the Battle of Fromelles in July, 1916, and was buried in a mass grave during the war,” Patrick said. “He has now been identified in France, and will be reburied in the new Fromelles War Cemetery in France. 

With strong local ties, three local communities can lay claim to one of the forgotten thousands who died during The Great War.

“With links to Dubbo, Geurie, and Wellington, local Dubbo historians Trevor Munro and Graham Hosken have a story about Private Herbert Graham in their book, Wellington's Finest.

“My great uncle George Henry Bourke is also included in their book,” Patrick revealed.

Known as “James”, Graham was attached to both the 20th Australian Infantry and 54th Australian Infantry Battalions and saw service in Egypt and the Western Front after enlisting at Dubbo in September, 1915, before embarking overseas from Sydney in December on the HMAT Berrima (A35).

His parents were Thomas Albert and Alice (nee Dulling) Graham of Geurie, and Herbert had two brothers, three sisters, one half-brother, and three half-sisters.

He was killed in action on July 19–20, 1916, aged only 24, with his remains one of the seven Australian soldiers whose identities have now been restored, some 108 years after their deaths.

The seven died after having fought their way into enemy positions, and were later buried by German forces in an unmarked mass grave which lay undiscovered until 2007. 

The others were Private Alfred William Ansell (serving under the alias “Fitch”), Private George Robert Barnatt, Corporal Percy George Barr, Private William Christopher Brumby, Lance Corporal Harold Thompson Smith, and Private Ernest Frank Studdon (serving under the alias “Welling”).

The Battle of Fromelles involved the 5th Australian Division and the British 61st Division with historians describing it as “the worst 24 hours in Australia's history”, a costly military disaster in which more than 5500 Australians were either killed, wounded, or taken prisoner within a matter of hours.

The seven men will now have their headstones re-dedicated on the anniversary of the Battle in mid-July, Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart has revealed.

“The identifications are an opportunity to reflect on the service of these seven soldiers,” Lieut Gen Stuart said.

“Fromelles was the first major action fought by Australian troops on the Western Front, and the first time they were confronted with devastating artillery and machine-gun fire,” he added.

He said that, facing muddled tactics and strategy, the Diggers showed admirable fighting qualities.

“Despite impossible odds, Australian soldiers still succeeded in crossing ‘No Man’s Land’ and breaching the enemy positions, which is where these seven men were killed in close combat.

“We think of their loved ones who never knew their fate, and all who have served and continue to serve,” Lieut Gen Stuart concluded.