Transfer of Partial First World War Casualty Remains

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has been working with the Mütter Museum and Historical Medical Library in Philadelphia, USA, following the identification of 113 sets of partial First World War human remains previously held within the Mütter Museum’s collection.

These partial remains originated from a First World War military hospital in Le Tréport, France and were transferred for medical study in 1919, which was accepted practice at the time. The CWGC was informed by the museum, of their existence in late September 2025 and has since undertaken detailed and meticulous provenance and commemorations records research to verify their origin and status. Many of these remains belong to war casualties who are already buried and cared for by the CWGC within Mont Huon Military Cemetery in France.

In line with our global mission to ensure that all Commonwealth service personnel who died during the World Wars are commemorated in a manner befitting their service, the CWGC has undertaken a careful and sensitive programme of work to review its records alongside detailed material provided by the Museum, establish provenance where possible, and put in place appropriate arrangements for the transfer of the remains, and agree their burial in accordance with current commemorative standards.

Working in close partnership with the CWGC, the Mütter Museum has safely and securely transferred the collection of remains to the CWGC Recovery Unit in Northern France where they are being managed in line with our existing policy and interred in the existing graves. Specialist technical staff will undertake all interments, ensuring they are carried out with dignity and respect. Any undetermined remains will be managed in agreement with our member government partners and in accordance with our established procedures of interring in a separate grave with an appropriate marker and will continue to be cared for by the Commission in perpetuity, with the utmost respect.

The CWGC has worked closely with the Mütter Museum, relevant government partners in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK, and other authorities to ensure the remains are handled appropriately. Responsibility for identifying and contacting families, and for any follow-on ceremonies, is being taken forward by the national authorities.

Our priority is always to honour all who rest in our care. In this instance, that means ensuring any partial remains returned to us are treated with dignity and commemorated appropriately.