WESTBURY and District u3a members recently found out more about the Commonwealth and War Graves Commission (CWGC) and their work to look after graves of the men and women who died in World War I and World War II.
The group report, “The CWGC looks after graves only from those brave souls lost between the dates 4th August 1914 – 31st August 1921 and 3rd September 1939 – 31st December 1947. There has to be strict cut-off dates for obvious reasons.
“There are plans to identify all war graves in the UK; currently the CWGC looks after 1.1 million headstones. 1.7 million servicemen and women are commemorated in 23,000 locations around the world, employing 850 gardeners and 160 craftsmen.
“The CWGC founding principles say that each of the Commonwealth dead should be commemorated by name in a headstone or memorial, headstones and memorials should be permanent, headstones should be uniform with no distinction for rank or status.
“John recommended a book to us: The Great War – Chippenham Soldiers by Richard Broadhead. It was a fascinating talk, well-received by all present.”
The meetings are held at the Westbury URC Hall, Warminster Rd, Westbury BA13 3PJ. Park at rear, off The Butts via Hospital Road. £2 payable on entry unless otherwise stated. Prospective new members pay no admission on the first visit.
