The remains of four Australian soldiers have been found in northern France, almost 108 years since they died during the First World War.
Members of the Unrecovered War Casualties - Army unit unearthed the soldiers during fieldwork activity investigating missing Australian soldiers from the First and Second battles of Bullecourt in 1917.
The soldiers are believed to have died together during the Second Battle of Bullecourt in May 1917. During this period, three divisions of the Australian Imperial Force suffered up to 10,000 casualties (killed, missing, wounded and taken prisoner of war) trying to breach the formidable German Hindenburg Line defences.
Of the 3,700 Australians who died in the fighting at Bullecourt throughout April and May 1917, approximately 2,500 have no known grave and are commemorated on the Australian National Memorial to the Missing at Villers-Bretonneux.
Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, said the discovery was a testament to the diligence and perseverance of the researchers involved.
"As we approach Anzac Day, recovering these four Australian soldiers reminds us the search for the missing is tireless and ongoing," Lieutenant General Stuart said.
"We do not forget the service and sacrifice of those who serve our nation.
"The work of forensic specialists, historians and researchers to identify these soldiers is now underway, so we can ensure these men are reburied with the dignity and respect they so justly deserve."
The investigation was conducted in partnership with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Commemorations Department and Recovery Unit, the French Direction régionale des Affaires culturelles, and the communities of Riencourt-les-Cagnicourt and Bullecourt.
Some 44,000 Australians died on the Western Front during the First World War, of which 17,000 have no known grave.
