The local man is serving as a pall bearer at the reburial of remains from the mass grave in Frommelles that has cradled the bodies of more than 200 World War I diggers for the past 94 years.

Private Wright left Canberra on Australia Day and expects to be in France at least until the end of the month.

The battle of Fromelles was the first major battle fought by Australian troops on the Western Front.

Fighting began at 6pm on July 19, 1916. By 8am the following day more than 7000 Australian and British soldiers had been killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. Private Wright carried out his schooling at St Joseph's Central School in Oberon - his parents Ian and Dereace Wright now live in Bathurst.

He is married to Michelle and is the father of three young children - Jaymi, Oska and Alex.

The 32-year-old has served with the Australian Army for the past five years and with the Army Reserve for two years before that.

After two tours of duty with the 2/14th Lighthorse Regiment Qld Mounted Infantry in Iraq, Private Wright returned home.

He now serves as a member of the Federal Guard, which performs ceremonial duties around the country and overseas.

Mrs Wright said her son was very proud to be selected to travel to France as one of six pall bearers carrying the fallen to their final resting place.

"We feel really honoured," she said.

"This is something very special that he is a part of."

It is hoped that about 100 of the dead will be identified so that headstones bearing their names can be erected. Anyone who is unable to be identified will have the phrase 'Known to God' inscribed on the stone.

Although snow now covers the site it is hoped the last man will be buried by the time summer comes to Fromelles.

When it is done the diggers will be buried side by side in rows on a hillside as close as possible to the order in which they were tipped into six pits after being killed, mostly while behind German lines.

The bodies of 1500 of the 2300 British and Australian soldiers who died at Fromelles remain missing.