The relatives of Australian soldiers killed in the Battle of Fromelles have gathered to mark 110 years since our nation’s worst military disaster.
On the sombre anniversary, it has been announced more school students will be taught about the battle in which 2000 diggers made the ultimate sacrifice.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Australia marks 110 years since Battle of Fromelles
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More than a century on, the tragedy and bravery of Fromelles still echoes, with the descendants of those who fought bringing new light to one of the darkest days in Australia’s military history.
“It’s very special for me, very special and I carry on his memory,” descendant Fiona Bunn said.
Another — Royce Atkinson — described it as “a day of great reflection”.
“Because I don’t know how those boys marched into hell,” he told 7NEWS.
Ordered into German machine gun fire on the Western Front, the battle ended in more than 6000 Australian casualties, with more than 2000 lives lost, including Private Frederick Dyson, who was only 19.
“He was off a farm so they probably thought it was exciting to go on a trip overseas on a boat,” Dyson’s great niece Sharon Horsnell said. “We should keep going and honouring them.”
Using DNA testing, the Fromelles Association is finding the families of fallen soldiers.
“I’ve gone to 181 now identified using DNA,” president Geoffrey Benn said.
The history of the battle is now also set to be taught to more students.
Military historians say Fromelles isn’t a household name like Kokoda or Gallipoli because the sheer loss of life stopped it from being talked about early on, making it more important than ever to keep this memory alive.
“I didn’t know about my great uncle, but I’m very pleased I do now,” Benn said.