The man putting names to Newcastle’s unknown graves

Walking around grave sites isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for Woodrising man Gary Mitchell, it’s just another day at the office.

The grave site of Private Austin Vincent Garven of the 35th Battalion.

Walking around grave sites isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for Woodrising man Gary Mitchell, it’s just another day at the office.

The 62-year-old has for the last 27 years covered every square metre there is to cover at Sandgate cemetery all in the quest to re-mark, unknown plots of World War 1 diggers.

“It’s been a labour of love, that’s for sure,” Mitchell said.

“It’s not easy but I’m getting there. It’s become an obsession for me.”

Mitchell’s task sees him identify the unmarked graves before applying through the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for a Commonwealth plaque, if the soldier is eligible, through an assessment process. In the meantime a cross is put in the ground.

Mr Mitchell has been at work on this project for 27 year.

“The Morpeth Men’s Shed makes the crosses for me. They do a great job. From 2016 I’ve put in 134 applications and have got 91 over the line. Yes I’m happy with that- but I believe all 134 should have got the distinction.”

It’s all not lost for those applications the DVA knock back.

The Forgotten Diggers Organisation makes arrangements to raise funds for a headstone by sourcing private funding.

Since 1995, the former boilermaker has located over 200 former servicemen through military databases and national archives as well as cemetery records in a bid to find out if the person served in World War 1. At the moment his 13-month quest to recognise another digger has been accepted.

Private Austin Vincent Garven of the 35th Battalion is to have his Honour and Dignity restored with a plaque and headstone, as well as being added to the Australian Roll of Honour database.

Born in Hamilton in 1897, Garven was discharged as medically unfit with bronchial cystitis on the 14th September 1916.

“It was satisfying to get Austin his due recognition,” Mitchell said.