Welcome!

Welcome to our August Newsletter

Our staff have been very busy this month taking part in outside events and you may well have visited one of our stands. It is always a pleasure to meet you when we are out and about.  We always enjoy receiving your feedback. 

Just a reminder......

The Commission is now on Twitter - for regular updates why not sign up! CWGC Twitter Page

Check out the Fromelles website -                                                           

• the blogs are regularly updated
• two new factsheets have recently been added and                                
• the newsletter is worth signing up to for further information

Out and about

Moved by the sacrifices of earlier generations

One of our Commissioners, Keith Simpson MP, recently wrote an article on his first visit to Commission cemeteries in Italy.  It was printed in the Eastern Daily Press, and you can now read it here.

Fromelles Video Report

The excavation of several mass graves at Fromelles in northern France is progressing well. Why not check out a short video on the recent work.

In the news.....

Fitting and lasting memorial for a boy who died fighting for his country
On Monday 6 July 2009, at 11am at Comely Bank Cemetery in Edinburgh, former machine gunner Alf Tubb unveiled a headstone in memory of Reginald Earnshaw, his friend and former shipmate who was one of the youngest service casualties of the Second World War. Records show Reginald Earnshaw was aged “about 15” when he died aboard the SS North Devon, but it’s believed he may have lied about his age in order to serve his country, perhaps being as young as just 14.

Watch the video and read his story in the Yorkshire Post (link right)

England Ashes Team visit War Graves

The England Ashes team visited Commission cemeteries in Belgium recently.  The trip was part of the team’s preparations for the forthcoming Ashes series against Australia. For further information read here.....

The Soldier and the Stone

A chance discovery that led to a journey back in time.  What would you do if you discovered a headstone belonging to a First World War soldier in the Annalong river?

BBC Northern Ireland cover the story, including two videos on this story and more about researching your family tree.

Visiting a cemetery?

We receive many enquiries about the monuments and graves in our cemeteries and this regular feature should help answer some of those queries.

The Cross of Sacrifice was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield, one of the Commission's first three Principal Architects. It is designed to represent theh failth of the majority.

You will not find a Cross of Sacrifice where there are less than 40 commemorations.  They generally come in three sizes (ranging from 18 to 32 feet):

• 40 to 250 burials
• 251 to 2000 burials
• More than 2000 burials

with a fourth larger size used on rare occasions, where appropriate

The Stone of Remembrance, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens (also one of the first three Principal Architects) is normally provided in cemeteries containing 1000 burials or more.

Each stone is inscribed with 'Their Name Liveth for Evermore', chosen by Rudyard Kipling from the Bible.    It is a monument designed to represent those of all faiths and of none.

More information about Commission architecture can be found here.

Do you want a photograph?

We are now working in association with      The War Graves Photographic Project (TWGPP) to supply photographs, either emailed or hard copies, of gravestones or memorials to those that request them. The TWGPP is a volunteer based organisation who are digitally recording every war grave around the world. If you would like to use the service or volunteer your help please visit the site using the link shown.

News from New Zealand

The Commission has a commitment at over 23,500 sites in 150 countries around the world. As you can imagine, each country presents its own challenges with regards maintenance.

Once again, we have pleasure in highlighting the work of the The Ministry for Culture and Heritage in New Zealand who act as agent for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in New Zealand.

Have a look at this short information sheet.

Forthcoming Events

Exhibition at  Ranville (Normandy - France)

Until 31 August 2009. To celebrate the 65th D-Day Anniversary, an exhibition on the Commission's work (including an introduction to the work of the 48th Grave Concentration Unit) is on display at the Pegasus Memorial

For further information please contact CWGC France Area :                      +33 (0)3 21 21 77 00 or faoffice@cwgc.org

Many other events and ceremonies regularly take place around the United Kingdom and overseas, do check the events page on our website for regularly updated information.

Website survey

We would like your opinion on our website!

Please would you let us know briefly (8 very short questions)  your opinion of our website which is currently being reviewed.

This link will take you directly to a survey Website Survey Link

A-Z of countries

We continue our monthly feature, working our way through the alphabet, focussing on some of the more unusual places where we have a commitment

This Month.......D is for Denmark and the Faroe Islands

Earlier featured countries can also be found on this page.

For your information , the other D's are: Democratic Republic of Congo and Djibouti

Any comments?

Keep in touch and do let us know if you have any comments about the Commission's work, cemeteries, service or even this newsletter!

Your comments are always welcome: mail to : feedback

For further information on service standards, comments and complaints, please read our At Your Service Leaflet.

In memoriam

We were saddened to hear of the deaths of both Henry Allingham and Harry Patch recently. 

Both Henry and Harry were the last survivors of World War I in the United Kingdom and were always very supportive of the Commission's work. 

We will remember them.

August 2009 Newsletter

In this Issue

Useful Links

PDF version of this newsletter

*TWGPP

Fromelles website

CWGC Twitter page

At Your Service leaflet

CWGC Events Page

*Yorkshire Post - Comely Bank ceremony

*Allied Airmen 1939-45 Denmark

*CWGC holds no responsibility for the content of outside links

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