Due respect for WWI vets

THE work done by volunteers to properly honour some of Australia’s World War One veterans has been celebrated at The Headstone Project’s inaugural dinner.

The Headstone Project began in Hobart in 2011 after it was discovered that several returned WWI veterans were buried in Cornelian Bay Cemetery without any marker or headstone.

The Project, which is now operating across the country, helps volunteers to research and match records to the determine each serviceman’s name and location, and raise funds to install a simple headstone.

Attorney-General Elise Archer said there may be as many as 250 WWI veterans buried in unmarked graves in Tasmania.

“It is estimated that as many as 12,000 Australian veterans of the First World War were buried in unmarked graves around the country, often due to personal circumstances or loss of the original marker,” she said.

“After serving our country in battle so bravely, these servicemen are finally getting the respect and permanent memorials they deserve.

“I’m incredibly proud to support the Headstone Project and I commend the volunteers who have given these servicemen their identities back. Their hard work and dedication can only be commended.”