Named Headstones Erected
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With the countdown to 19 July upon us, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission are in the process of erecting named headstones for the identified soldiers.
Many families have now made the difficult decision of determining personal inscriptions and the finalised details have been etched in stone.
The final few inscriptions will be engraved over the coming weeks in preparation for the cemetery opening on the 94th anniversary of the battle.
April 2010
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The cemetery is nearing completion as all the headstones for soldiers yet to be identified have now been installed. The families of identified soldiers are carefully composing their personal inscriptions for their soldiers' headstones and they will be engraved over the coming months.
Placing of Headstones
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Construction work on the cemetery continues in ernest with the installation of the first of the headstones for the yet-to-be-identified soldiers. The headstones are made from Portland stone and engraved by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at their France headquarters in Arras.
Taking Shape - March 2010
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have been making excellent progress throughout February and into March with the construction of the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery.
As the European Spring continues to warm, the construction team have added the top layer of soil to the cemetery, which has allowed them to lay the turf prior to making the finishing touches to the cemetery.
Post Reburials
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The Commonwealth War Graves Commission are still working tirelessly on site in Fromelles. Since the reburials in February were completed, they have finished constructing all the headstone supports.
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The cemetery continues to take shape and soil has begun to be dispersed across the graves. This will bring the ground level up another 500mm and allow for the laying of grass and plantings.
Once headstones have been manufactured, they too will be added to the landscape.
The cemetery contruction is on track for the opening on 19 July 2010.
Weather Doesn't Hampen Progress
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Well it looks like it's going to be a brisk month of reinterments for the soldiers from Australia and Britain but the cold snap in northern Europe has not slowed progress on the site. The final touches are currently being made to the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery in preparation for the first day of reinterment on Saturday 30 January 2010.
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For those of you planning to visit the site in January and February, remember that the cemetery is still under construction and proceedings may be viewed from outside the cemetery walls. Attendees should also note that there will be no covered viewing areas and the weather in northern Europe at this time of year can be unpredictable. You are encouraged to prepare for very cold and wet weather and dress accordingly.
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As the cemetery has been built from the bottom up, you will be able to see each individual grave has been built-up rather than dug-down. The horticultural work within the cemetery will commence when the weather is less harsh and the burials have been completed. Headstones will also be manufactured and in place before July's Commemorative Event.
Preparation for Reinterment
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The Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery is taking shape due to the expert work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. In preparation for the reinterments commencing in early 2010, individual graves are being constructed. Each of the 250 soldiers will be given an individual military burial by serving soldiers of both the Austalian and British Armies.
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During reinterment, the cemetery will remain a construction site and there will be no public access. Proceedings can be viewed from outside the cemetery walls.
Once the reinterment phase is complete, the cemetery will be completed with the addition of headstones, topsoil and plants. The finished cemetery will be opened on the 94th anniversary of the battle on 19 July 2010 with a Commemorative Event.
Progress to September 2009
Construction of the cemetery is well underway and on track for the reinterments starting on 30 January 2010. The outer wall is taking shape and the concrete pad for the plinth platform is curing ready for work.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commision's team of experts are doing a great job to prepare the site for burials. Initial work on site was slow going with piles needing to be driven deep into the ground to stabilise the site but now progress is clear for all to see.
Check out the photos below for the latest from the site.
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Headstones for the Soldiers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has commenced the sombre task of manufacturing headstones for the soldiers who will be put to rest at the new cemetery. The images below show the process to manufacture headstone blanks for the Pheasant Wood Soldiers. Following the Joint Identification Board in March 2010, these will be etched with the names of those who are identified or with unknown.
These images are courtesy of the Commonwelth War Graves Commission.
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Construction Commences on Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery
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| Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery |
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
is constructing the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery in Fromelles, France. The new cemetery, which will be the final resting place for the soldiers discovered at Pheasant Wood, is located adjacent to the Pheasant Wood site in Fromelles, France.
This is the first full cemetery that the Commission has constructed in more than 50 years. Work commenced on the site on 20 May 2009.
The images provided on this page have been provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. These images include an impression of how the completed cemetery will look and construction progress photos. As the cemetery takes shape, images of the construction will be uploaded regularly.
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