FAMILY of a former Delungra schoolteacher, who was among more than 200 Australian soldiers found in a war grave in France last week, were surprised to learn he had been identified.

Private Cyril Johnston was formally identified last week as one of the 203 Australian World War I soldiers found in a mass grave at Fromelles, France.

Cyril grew up at Myall Creek, later moving around the Inverell area and working as a teacher at Delungra Primary School.

His nephew is Inverell stock and station agent Alex Johnston.

Cyril enlisted with the army in October 1915 and left the country three months later. He was in France for less than a month before his death.

Cyril’s niece, Alison Hosegood, said it was amazing to receive the news of his identification.

“It’s amazing they can identify him, the bones have been buried there for nearly 90 years.

“Various members of the family took swabs from their cheek which were sent to London.”

After first being listed as missing, 24-year-old Cyril was later confirmed by German sources to be killed in action.

“I never met him,” Alison said. “My mum didn’t remember much of him either, she was one of the younger ones of the family. His older brother Osborne was killed during the war too.”

Personal items were found with Cyril’s remains and will be sent to Alison and her family.

“I don’t think he would have had much,” she said. “Maybe it’s just his ID disks.”

The Battle of Fromelles took place July 19 and 20 and more than 5500 Australian soldiers were killed, wounded or taken prisoner.

A final burial and ceremony marking the 94th anniversary of the battle will be held at the site in July this year.

The Joint Identification Board will carry out DNA testing until 2014. If you think you may have a relative buried at Fromelles register your details at www.army.gov.au/fromelles or call 1800 019 090.

© 2010 Inverell Times

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