Five more Australian soldiers have been identified from the First World War mass graves found in northern France.

The graves were discovered in Fromelles in 2009, scene of the 1916 battle of the same name, which was a joint operation between British and Australian troops.

In 2009, the remains of 250 unknown soldiers were recovered and since then a Joint Identification Board, comprising senior officers from the UK and Australia supported by scientific experts, has met regularly to seek to identify the remains.

The board reconvened in London on March 25 this year and was able to identify five more soldiers – all five Australian.

To date, the remains of 124 people have been identified as named Australian soldiers, 89 as unnamed Australian soldiers, two as unnamed British soldiers and 35 remain unknown.

To date, no British soldiers have been identified by name but the board will meet again in 2014 to consider additional family samples.

Those identified are: 346 Pte William Barber, 32nd Battalion Goolwa; 605 Pte Thomas Henry Bills, 31st Battalion Melbourne; 2584 Pte Thomas William Francis, 29th Battalion Bendigo; 319 Pte William O’Donnell, 29th Battalion Prahran; 151 Pte John Gordon McKenzie, 32nd Battalion Orroroo.

DIARY DATES

Today: The Royal Naval Association meets at 20.00hrs at Feversham Street Sea Cadet HQ.

Wednesday: The Coldstream Guards Association meets at 19.30hrs at Northcliffe Golf Club, Saltaire, The Prince Of Wales own Association meets at 19.30hrs at Northcote Conservative Club, The Green Howards Association meets at 13.30hrs at Headingley Club, The Royal British Legion, Keighley Branch, meets at 19.30hrs at Holingsroyd House, Lord Street, Keighley.

REMEMBRANCE

The following are being specially remembered at Bradford Cathedral this week:

George Henry Robinson, Jack Robinson, Joseph Robinson, Ronald Robinson, John Richard Robin-son, William Robinson, Tom Robinson, James Henry Robin-son, Gilbert Robinson, Leonard Rogers, Vernon Watson Rogers, Maurice Sydney Rose, Lewis Rotheray, Arthur Edward Rowley, Gordon Royston, Wal-ter Hubert Rushton, Peter Rus-sell, Arthur Ryecroft, Donald Hubert Robinson, John Robert Rowntree, Royston Harry Sharp, Ronald Scott.