RootsChat.Com

Evant and Sabet,

If you would like to contact me, I can send you a photograph of Aime Verpillot.

You'll find our research website at www.fromelles.net (it's the Descendant Database listed on your school network).   If you send me an email from there, I'll get back to you asap.

Tim L.

Agree totally with starting a specific thread.   Perhaps a few of these last posts could be transposed into it at the beginning so the train of thought isn't lost. (is that possible?)   

It's a discussion that's well worth having and there are some valid points that Howard has brought up that I've also beenquestioning over the past few weeks. 

In answer to your last post Howard,

Yes, there was a very small number of remains from whom no DNA sample was able to be extracted.   Therefore it leaves us with the open-ended possibility of them being anyone who went missing during the battle and thus no soldier can be ruled out whether an mtDNA match was successful or not.

Re: Wass.   Although you have identified an mtDNA descendant, do you know whether that person registered with the AFPG?   The frustrating thing about this is that it is up to the relative to approach them and offer their DNA rather than the other way around.

You are correct, those without known graves do form a 'priority' type list but it's been shown that it's not exclusive as some with graves have now been proven incorrectly named (although I'd like to think that's only small in number).   Indeed those listed on the Villers Bret Memorial were taken into consideration from the outset.   It was realised early on that they only appeared at VB because of a records technicality that listed their date of death the day 'after' the battle.   We suspect the reason for this is because that particular battalion called the roll on the following day and all those found missing were nominally alloted that date.   Hence they missed out on being included at VC Corner.

I am currently attempting to obtain a list of soldiers names from the AFPG for whom DNA has been submitted as this doesn't breach any privacy issues.   Obviously I couldn't ask for the names of descendants who had submitted it.   I'll let you know if/when I obtain it.

Cheers,
Tim L.

Thanks to Sandra for letting me know about the update.   For some reason my emails don't let me know there's been a post on this particular thread - I must not be subscribed for some reason???

What fantastic news and great work by Mum Mum.   It certainly seems that being a professional cook, this Catherine would likely be Joseph's mother as we knew that was her 'profession'.   Therefore I'd say that a search for descendant's of Michael and Ann is most definately the way to proceed.

While I'm dropping in, I'd just like to let everyone know that our work has been well received by the media (as shown by Sandra) and we are continuing to make strides forward.   For this we are greatly indebted to everyone here for your continuing support and wonderful assistance.

Of the 250 bodies recovered from the mass graves, we have been advised that the vast majority are Australian soldiers.   We have also heard that of the 250 remains, after testing, the vast majority yielded viable DNA.   Therefore, should we be able to locate appropriate descendants for DNA matching, a great possibility exists for many of these men to regain their identities.   If this should happen then everyone here can feel very proud that they have played a part in helping to restore these men back to their families.

Cheers,
Tim L.     

Hi Deborah,

Unfortunately, none of the photos on our website are of Douglas - his image is one that we are still searching for.

We have had contact with one other descendant via his sister Nelly and are very keen to be in contact with you also.   

You'll find our email address from the website at www fromelles net    I look forward to hearing from you. (This website and User are no longer contactable Aug 2015)

Cheers,
Tim L.