Troops' bodies recovered in France

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Between 250 and 300 bodies were discovered last May in the grave near the village of Fromelles, where they were buried by German forces after the disastrous 1916 Battle of Fromelles.

Since work to excavate the graves got under way 15 weeks ago, 222 bodies have been exhumed, said the site's management.

The last of the eight graves is now being excavated and up to 30 more bodies are expected to be recovered.

A full programme of DNA testing is being carried out in an attempt to establish the identities of the bodies.

Air Commodore Steve Martin, co-chairman of the Fromelles Management Board, said: "It's being done at a level that's probably not been done before in terms of the scientific rigour being applied to the whole process. It's clear the Germans showed a reasonable amount of care in placing the dead in the ground. The records we have from the Germans show personal belongings were collected and sent home and that there was to be no looting."

But many artefacts have been discovered with the bodies in the graves, which those working on the project hope will help them identify the dead.

Diagnostic radiographer Mark Farmer, who is in charge of radiology on the site, said: "The state of preservation has been outstanding in some of the graves. All this helps us to identify these people."

The graves contain two layers of bodies, with the dead often lying head to toe. Some of the bodies were wrapped in brown sheets when they were buried. Once the bones are recovered, they are washed with toothbrushes and then analysed. It is hoped that as many as possible of the soldiers' living relatives can be found and DNA tests used to match them to the dead.

Since research into the identities of the dead soldiers began in January, 131 British families have come forward, believing they may be related to one of those whose bodies are being excavated.