GRAVES ON GALLIPOLI.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1966, 17 April 1919, Page 1

GRAVES ON GALLIPOLI.

A NUMBER IDENTIFIED,

Wellington, This Day

Apart from the Graves Registration Unit which visited Gallipoli at the beginning of this year, some work of< a similar nature was undertaken by the Canterbury Mounted Rifles KegimeMj which has- submitted a detailed report of its discoveries. This Was forwarded to New Zealand, and the Defence Department will send to the next-of-kin of any soldiers whose graves have been identified all particulars regarding location which this report contains. A certain number of graves had to be reported as “unknown,'” but where there was definite information the exact location was noted'with compass bearings and references to landmarks. One working party attended to the fencing of graves wherever this could be.done, and a slip of paper was placed in a shell case or other receptacle, with all details of identification on each grave found. A copy of the report was handed to (he Graves Registration Unit l<> assist them in their more comprehensive operations. Identification of graves, slates the report, is difficult owing to the lapse of time, and in some isolated cases,' desecration by marauders, though there is nothing to indicate fids has been made at the instigation of the Turkish authorities. The work of re-fortilioation of the Peninsula by the Turkish forces after the evacuation necessitated the building of roads, trenches, gun positions, and the extensive wiring of all positions. This undoubtedly obliterated (he traces of many burial places, but as far as can be ascertained it was purely a work of military necessity.