UNIDENTIFIED GRAVES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 301, 14 September 1921, Page 5

UNIDENTIFIED GRAVES

EXHUMATIONS TO CEASE DECISION OF THE WAR OFFICE By Telegraph—Pres» Association—Copyright London, September 12. Tho Australian Press Agency has been authoritatively informed that War Office has decided to discontinue the exhumation of graves oh tho French and Flemish battlefields on September 30. Australia nor New Zealand nor Canada was a party to this decision, the matter being entirely within the discretion of the Imperial authorities. It is, estimated that 125,000 bodies have not been 'recovered in France and Flanders, including 11,000 Australians. The c.y humation of these would probably take years, while identification becomes increasingly difficult each year. It is understood that Mr. Hughes and the Commonwealth military officials are anxious (b continue exhumation, but this is impossible without Imperial co-operation. It is believed that if the Dominions jointly appeal to the Imperial authorities, the latter may bo induced to continue exhumation for at least another year.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.