Chris Evans MP on CWGC appointment and importance of remembrance
For those who are not familiar with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the organisation was founded more than 100 years ago in 1917 to commemorate the fallen during the First World War.
Since then, it has expanded to include the more than 1.7 million men and women from across the commonwealth who died during the two world wars.
The CWGC has a global impact. It works on behalf of the governments of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India and South Africa in its mission.
Some of the most important activities of the CWGC are to mark, record, and maintain military graves and sites of commemoration across the commonwealth. In total, it looks after more than 12,000 sites across at least 150 countries and territories.
The reason I am so honoured by this appointment is because of how important it is we remember the fallen over the two world wars, across the Commonwealth. In Caerphilly, Penyrheol cemetery alone contains 19 war graves from the First World War, and 28 from the Second World War. There are many others.
Only recently we came together to remember and commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, holding a two minute silence in respect and reverence for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
The events that were held across the country and locally demonstrate the strength of our commitment to honouring and remembering our war dead. War is a terrible thing, and we can only truly appreciate that by diligently reminding ourselves of the almost unbearable costs of conflict.
It is also important that we ensure our children and young people learn and understand the sacrifices their forebears made for them, to ensure the freedoms we all enjoy to this day.
The CWGC runs many educational projects including a virtual Wall of Remembrance, and regular live talks hosted online on many different topics. They also hold events and talks that explore the important contributions made by commonwealth forces in the two world wars, including in the Far East as part of the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.
I am looking forward to working as a Commonwealth War Graves Commissioner over the coming years, and I feel the profound sense of duty that it brings.
I would encourage everyone to visit the CWGC website to find out more about its important work, and how to support it.
The website can be found at: www.cwgc.org
Chris Evans is MP for Caerphilly.
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