Soldiers bodies found after 44 years

With the assistance of the local Indonesian military, remains of SAS (Special Air Service) member Lieutenant Hudson and Private Moncrieff have been found.

It was revealed that both servicemen had been swept away from their patrol team while the SAS patrol was attempting to cross Sekayan River. Extensive searches were failed to find them at that time.

In 2008, Army commenced an investigation to try and locate the human remains of the two men. Army form a joint investigation and research team with Indonesian assistance in early 2009. Local Indonesians of the Sanggau province who found the bodies back then, has helped the team to located the burial sites and recover the remains.

Lieutenant Kenneth Hudson, 30, from Brisbane, left a wife and baby son behind when he disappeared. Private Moncrieff, 21, from Newcastle, was a keen surfer and parachutist.

Planning is now well underway to repatriate the remains of Lieutenant Hudson and Private Moncrieff to Australia. Their families will now be able to bring their loved ones home and lay them to rest with proper military honours.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government is preparing to announce the identities of the remains of Australian soldiers discovered in a mass grave in northern France.  DNA tests have been carried out on the remains of 250 Australian and British soldiers who died in the 1916 Battle of Fromelles. Prime minister said that public statement would be made once the families have been contacted with the momentous news.