Windback Wednesday - Sergeant Oscar Eric Baumann

The Australian Government recently announced that five Australian soldiers who fought in World War 1 and lost their lives in Fromelles have been formally identified through DNA testing, including a soldier who was a Burnside Council resident.

In 2009, the soldiers were recovered from unmarked mass graves and a team of archaeologists and DNA specialists have been studying the remains in collaboration with relatives.

The Burnside Council resident identified was Sergeant Oscar Eric Baumann from the 32nd Battalion AIF. Sergeant Baumann was born in Hahndorf and lived in Eastwood working as a joiner before he enlisted in July 1915. He was 20-years-old when he was killed in action and today he is commemorated at tree 76 at the Burnside Fallen Soldiers' Memorial on Alexandra Avenue, Rose Park.

The five identified solders have now been laid to rest in the Fromelles Military Cemetery in France.

Sergeant Oscar Eric Baumann, courtesy of Australian War Memorial H06303.