Pozieres and Fromelles centenary: WWI Digger Russell Bosisto laid to rest

By Peter Fitzsimons
Updated July 17 2016 - 11:08pm, first published 12:15am
World War I Digger Russell Bosisto.
World War I Digger Russell Bosisto.
Gunners of the Australian Siege Artillery Brigade ramming home a shell in a 9.2 inch breech loading howitzer on a hot summer's day. The batteries of this brigade were among those that supported the I Anzac Corps at Pozieres. Photo: Australian War Memorial
Gunners of the Australian Siege Artillery Brigade ramming home a shell in a 9.2 inch breech loading howitzer on a hot summer's day. The batteries of this brigade were among those that supported the I Anzac Corps at Pozieres. Photo: Australian War Memorial
A cemetery near Pozieres, showing Australian and German graves side by side. Photo: Australian War Memorial
A cemetery near Pozieres, showing Australian and German graves side by side. Photo: Australian War Memorial
An inscription on a headstone in the Pozieres British Cemetery near Albert, France. Photo: Matt Cardy
An inscription on a headstone in the Pozieres British Cemetery near Albert, France. Photo: Matt Cardy
WWI Veteran Howard Pope helps farewell Russell Bosisto.
WWI Veteran Howard Pope helps farewell Russell Bosisto.
The evening sun illuminates headstones in the Pozieres British Cemetery near Albert, France.  Photo: Matt Cardy
The evening sun illuminates headstones in the Pozieres British Cemetery near Albert, France. Photo: Matt Cardy

Over the years, writing books with a military theme – Nancy Wake, Kokoda, Tobruk, Gallipoli, etc – I've come across stories that have moved me, and even reduced me to tears. But the one that gets me most is the story of a World War I Digger who fought in the battle of Pozieres – the centenary of which is next Saturday.