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Welcome to our February Newsletter January seems to have flown by and February is already upon us. Thank you so much for the feedback we received following our last newsletter on South Africa. We plan to keep you updated with the ongoing work by the Agency there and will provide an update later in the year. <Please click here for a PDF version of the newsletter> Schoolboy discovers incredible story 12 year old Glynn Mullen, a pupil at Leith Academy in Edinburgh, Scotland has devoted several months of his spare time compiling a Roll of Honour of those former pupils who died in the Second World War. Using the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website, Glynn has drawn up a list of 75 names and by getting in contact with many of the former pupils' families, he has been able to build up a fascinating story of many of those who were killed. Why not find out more about this story by visiting our website and watching the video. 
This year's 'Who Do You Think You Are? Live' at Olympia runs from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 February 2011. Come and see us on stand 1033 - upstairs in the Military Section - where our team of staff will help you trace your ancestors and answer your questions about the Commission. We will also be sharing our space with The War Graves Photographic Project (TWGPP) who will be providing photographs of graves, cemeteries and memorials. Do come along and visit us. We look forward to seeing you there! Further information about the event, can be found on the Who Do You Think You Are website. 
Commission gardeners look to the future Brookwood Military Cemetery is the CWGC's largest cemetery in the UK and was the venue for a recent training seminar for Commission gardeners. From learning about plant diseases and improved care techniques, to how to handle chemicals and ladders safely, this was a practical hands-on event to share best practice amongst Commission staff, many of whom have decades of experience which can be usefully shared with their colleagues. Why not find out more about how our gardeners maintain our high standards by watching the video report on our website? 
Do you have a photograph you would like to feature in our newsletter? We are introducing a new feature in our newsletter and we would like you, our readers, to let us have your photographs so we can feature one each month. This month we feature a photograph taken by one of our Facebook fans, Gary Adams, during his visit to Mill Road Cemetery, France this year. Thank you Gary for letting us use your photo. You can see a larger version of Gary's photograph by clicking on his photo in the right hand column. Have a look at our Facebook page for more excellent ideas. 
Lest we Forget : A family pilgrimage to Sangro River War Cemetery Collin Blake and his extended family spent Christmas in Italy, visiting Sangro River War Cemetery and the grave of Colin's father, Lieutenant Colonel E M Blake. The story of his visit, and the hospitality provided to him and his family can be found here. We are delighted to feature his story - do continue providing us with the reports of your visits. [Note: Sangro River War Cemetery is one of 123 sites in Italy maintained by the Commission, where we commemorate almost 50,000 war dead. Responsibility for the war graves in the Italy rests with the Commission's Western Mediterranean office which is based in Rome] 
Customer Service is important to all of us at the Commission, and we are always keen to receive your views on our service and the services we provide to you. Later in the month we will be sending out a special newsletter, asking you to complete our Annual Customer Service Survey. Your contributions help us to better understand your needs and improve the services we provide. We would be most grateful for your assistance with the survey and hope you will be able to spare a few minutes of your time to give us your views. AE1 Submarine - appeal for help 
The loss of the AE1 – an appeal for help The AE1 was the first of two submarines to enter service with the Royal Australian Navy in February 1914. While on operations in September 1914 she disappeared with all hands and no trace of her has ever been found. AE1 Incorporated is an organisation which has been set up to find the AE1, to commemorate the memory of those lost in her, to bring peace of mind to their descendants and to preserve Australia’s Naval Maritime Heritage. They are searching for living family descendants of the 35 crew members who died in the incident. For more information on the appeal (including a list of names for those casualties for whom no next of kin has yet been identified), visit the story of the AE1 on our website here or visit the AE1 Incorporated website 
This month we once again visit countries around the world, focussing on some of the more unusual places where we have a commitment This month we focus on PANAMA. Responsibility for the war graves in Panama rests with the Commission's Outer Area office which is based in Maidenhead, UK. Photograph of Corozal American Military Cemetery Information Leaflets Don't forget..... The Commission publishes a series of free information sheets illustrating aspects of its work and major cemeteries and memorials. These can be downloaded from our website, or copies are available from our Enquiries Section Interested in Polish War Graves? 
Newark-upon Trent Cemetery, can be found in Nottinghamshire in the UK. During the Second World War there were a number of RAF stations within a few miles of Newark, from many of which operated squadrons of the Polish Air Force. A special plot was set aside in Newark Cemetery for RAF burials and this is now the war graves plot, where all but ten of the 90 Commonwealth and all of the 397 Polish burials were made. T A memorial cross to the Polish airmen buried here was erected in the plot and was unveiled in 1941 by President Raczkiewicz, ex-President of the Polish Republic and head of the war time Polish Government in London, supported by General Sikorski, Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Forces and war time Polish Prime Minister. When both men subsequently died, General Sikorski in 1943 and President Raczkiewicz in 1947, they were buried at the foot of the Polish Memorial. General Sikorski's remains were returned to Poland in 1993, but there is still a memorial to him at Newark. The Friends of Newark Cemetery have recently turned the former East Side Chapel into an Interpretation Centre, which includes display boards and information about both the cemetery and the grounds. The Centre is open every weekend from 12.00 to 4.00 pm and the cemetery is well worth a visit. For further information, why not look at:
Just a quick note about researching a casualty.
Please remember, if you find a casualty on our website WITHOUT next of kin information, the Commission does not hold this information as it was not supplied. 
Looking for additional information?
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February 2011 NewsletterIn this Issue Social Media 
click on poster for more information CWGC United Kingdom Area Leaflet CWGC Italy Leaflet (English) I Cimiteri del Commonwealth e Monumenti Commemorativi 
Mill Road Cemetery, France (click on the photo to enlarge) Pass it on Do you know anyone who would like to receive this newsletter? |
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