All Mr and Mrs Knable knew was that their son Private Adolf Knable had died with more than 2000 fellow Australians at Fromelles, France, in July 1916, mowed down in a torrent of German machine-gun fire.
After six years of painstaking forensic research and DNA testing, Private Knable’s remains have finally been identified amid those of 19 other Diggers in a German burial pit. Their names were released yesterday by Assistant Defence Minister Stuart Robert.
In July, the sacrifice of Private Knable and his mates will be recognised in a special ceremony at Fromelles.