A sandstone obelisk commemorating Australia's first soldier to die while fighting overseas stands in a coastal cemetery in southern New South Wales with no body beneath it.
Private Robert Weir's great-nephew David Potts has given up hope of bringing his ancestor home.
Private Weir grew up in Kiama and was involved in the British contingent to Sudan when he died in the Mahdist War in 1885.
The soldier's body was buried at the Suakin hilltop cemetery in north-eastern Sudan alongside British troops.
"Private Weir holds such a history in the Kiama district, not to mention in Australia so [bringing him home] is a golden opportunity," Mr Potts said.
"If someone said to me, 'Would you go over to Sudan and bring him home?' I would say I'd be happy to do it as his direct descendent.
"Accompanying him back is something I'd love to do."
Then minister supported idea
In 2017, crowds of Kiama residents, descendants and politicians gathered at Bombo Cemetery to celebrate the unveiling of Private Weir's memorial, which had recently been repaired.
One of the people there was then minister for veterans affairs David Elliott, a former army officer.
Kiama-Jamberoo RSL president Garry McKay said he advocated at the time for Private Weir's body to be reinterred at the local cemetery – a suggestion supported by the then minister.
"I didn't even think of it, so when he [Mr Elliott] initiated the matter, I showed keen interest," Mr Potts said.
He said he was disappointed Mr Elliott made no further personal correspondence on what became a "bucket-list" idea for Mr Potts.
"You hear of someone accompanying the remains of relatives or war dead a lot and it would be a very big benchmark to bring someone like him home," Mr Potts said.
Plans for a cemetery named after Private Weir
News coverage in 2021 revealed the subject of Private Weir was not a fleeting conversation for the then minister.
Mr Elliott said he would seek to establish a "contemporary sacred site" to commemorate Australia's war dead, including those who died by suicide after their service.
Mr Elliott said the cemetery would be named after Private Weir and his body would be buried there.
"Mr Weir's body remains in Sudan and I will also ask for the Commonwealth to repatriate him with full military honours," he told The Daily Telegraph.
"This is something a lot of veterans and their families have been asking for as it will assist in giving closure.
"Any soldier, sailor or airman who has qualified for the Australian Defence Medal would be entitled to be buried there."
In October 2022, Mr Elliott announced he would be retiring from politics.
Minister for Veterans Affairs David Harris would not comment on whether the idea for a national cemetery named after Private Weir would continue under his appointment.
Bodies can be repatriated: Veterans Affairs
The federal Department of Veterans Affairs said Australians who died in war overseas could be repatriated to Australia if relatives wished for it to occur.
"There are Australians commemorated in military cemeteries around the world and cared for under Australia's agreement with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission," a spokesperson said.
"Private Robert Weir was the first Australian to die in active duty during the conflict in Sudan in 1885."
Despite Mr Potts's request, the department has not confirmed whether Private Weir's body will be brought to Australia or if it has investigated his burial site in Sudan.
