Lambis Englezos from Albert Park this week returned from his 11-day Western Front journey with Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours, during which a street in Fromelles, France was named after him. Lambis is the special guest and topic expert on Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours’ ‘Anniversary of Fromelles & Pozieres Tour’, providing insights into how he discovered the mass grave of 250 lost WWI Australian soldiers.
Lambis and the group of Australian travellers attended a special inauguration ceremony at which the new pedestrian alley was unveiled – which connects a new subdivision to the village centre.
Historian Mat McLachlan said: “After six years of painstaking investigation, Lambis Englezos solved one of Australia’s greatest military mysteries – discovering the mass grave at Pheasant Wood containing 250 Australian soldiers, finally bringing closure to families who had waited a century for answers. It is an honour to know and work with Lambis, and to have him as a special guest on our commemorative Anniversary of Fromelles & Pozieres Tour.”
The Lost Diggers of Fromelles were unearthed in 2008, marking the start of a long and detailed process of scientific analysis including DNA extraction to identify as many of the soldiers as possible. The 250 diggers were reburied in the Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery at Fromelles in 2010.
The Mayor of Fromelles, Jean-Gabriel-Masson, unveiled the new street sign. Monsieur Hubert Huchette, who was Mayor of Fromelles during the time of Lambis’ discovery of the Lost Diggers of Fromelles, said:
“Why the Lambis Englezos alley? Since 2002, I can testify as the honourable Mayor (during this time), you have campaigned to bring out of the shadows the Australian soldiers who disappeared after the Battle of Fromelles…”
“During your many stays you walked the roads and paths of our village. The people of Fromelles at the time can testify – you loved walking in our village, so it was only natural that the idea of naming this alley after you was approved.”
Lambis Englezos will return to the Western Front in July 2026 to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles, as the special guest and topic expert on Mat McLachlan Battlefield Tours’ 11-day 110th Anniversary of Fromelles & Pozieres Tour. Visit www.battlefields.com.au
