Latest news with #CWGC
Glasgow Times
25-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Grave of Dumbarton WWII soldier rededicated in France
Private William Falconer, born in 1911, served with both the 1st and 2nd battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was recalled to the army at the outbreak of the Second World War and was attached to No. 13 Docks Labour Company. Pte Falconer died on June 14, 1940, aged 28, while serving with the 4th Company Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps. Read more: Oasis announce release of more tickets for reunion tour - Here's how to get yours Global superstar spotted in Glasgow ahead tonight's gig The exact details of his death are unclear, but he is thought to have died of severe burns after a road traffic accident. He left behind a widow and a young daughter. Pte Falconer is one of four British servicemen who died during World War Two in France who have now been rededicated, more than 85 years after their deaths, after their graves were identified. The services for Private Falconer, Gunner Joseph Humphries, Signalman Edmund Roberts, and Major Richard White-Cooper were held at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Le Grand-Lucé War Cemetery near Le Mans in France. The graves were identified after John Hawthorn, the husband of Signalman Roberts' granddaughter, submitted a case to the CWGC hoping to identify his final resting place. This led to extensive research and all four graves were identified. Mr Hawthorn said: "Words are not adequate to express the emotions I had when I got the email from Rosie Barron, telling me that the JCCC were happy to confirm they recognise Sig Edmund Roberts is buried in the CWGC cemetery at Le Grand Luce, France. "We are eternally grateful to the tireless work of CWGC and the JCCC, especially Rosie for all she has done.' The services were organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the 'War Detectives'. The CWGC has replaced the headstones over the graves and will care for them in perpetuity. Polly Brewster, commemorations case officer at the CWGC, said: "It has been an honour to have been a part of the identification process for these four men, and to have helped their families in their choices for their Commission headstones. "We owe particular gratitude to the family of Signalman Roberts because without his dedicated research, this would not have been possible. "It also feels all the more poignant knowing that this rededication ceremony means all casualties at Le Grand-Lucé have now been identified, so can be commemorated by name at their final resting place."
BBC News
14-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Missing World War One Dorsetshire soldier's grave identified
The grave of a missing World War One soldier has been identified in Ernest Cecil Blencowe of the Dorsetshire Regiment died in February 1916 trying to get control of The Bluff, an area of raised ground near the Ypres-Comines canal which was fought over extensively during the body was not recovered, but remains originally found in June 1921 and reburied at Bedford House Cemetery in Ypres, Belgium, have now been identified as those of Capt Blencowe.A rededication service, where the unmarked grave was marked, was held on Wednesday, and was attended by two of Capt Blencowe's great grandchildren. Capt Blencowe joined the army at the outbreak of was attached to 6th battalion the Dorsetshire Regiment and arrived in France in July he died, he was listed on the Menin Gate Memorial to the June 1921, the remains of an unknown British officer bearing buttons and badges of the Dorsetshire Regiment were found, but further identification proved research has revealed the un-named officer to be Capt Blencowe. 'A tremendous privilege' The rededication service, organised by the Ministry of Defence's Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), was led by Padre John Blencowe's headstone was replaced, and will be cared for by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).Sean Phillips from the CWGC said it was "a tremendous privilege"."For evermore, visitors to Bedford House Cemetery will be able to pay their respects to Captain Blencowe at his final place of rest," he Caseworker, Alexia Clark, said: "In rededicating his grave we have reunited his mortal remains with his names, in the presence of his family, ensuring that his sacrifice will not be forgotten." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Commonwealth war graves in Ayrshire tidied up by volunteer
Commonwealth war graves in Mauchline Cemetery had been taken over by a crop of daisies which are believed to have been planted by a well-intentioned member of the public Commonwealth war graves in Ayrshire have been tidied up by a community volunteer. Four graves at Mauchline Cemetery have been brought back life after an unruly crop of daisies took hold. A volunteer from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) got to work recently to remove the flowers which are believed to have been planted by a well-intentioned member of the public. Although the CWGC welcomes a number of non-permanent acts of remembrance at gravesides such as fresh flowers and wreaths, they ask that nothing permanent be added as "it impacts our ability to maintain the graves and headstone borders". Commemorated by the graves are Rifleman Lindsay Maxwell, Lieutenant Reginald John Coombes, Able Seaman Lewis MacDonald of the Canadian Merchant Navy and Polish soldier Wladyslaw Dawidowski. The four men each served during World War 2 and died in service between 1941 and 1946. Rifleman Maxwell, a member of 13th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), died February 20, 1941. His age is unknown. Able Seaman MacDonald was assigned to the SS St Malo of the Canadian Merchant Navy and died aged 24 on June 22, 1941. Lieutenant Coombes, Pioneer Corps, died aged 53 on June 22, 1943. Szeregowiec (Polish for Private) Dawidowski was on of many Polish soldiers who were stationed in Scotland during the war and died aged 21 on April 1, 1946. He is one of two Polish soldiers buried in Mauchline along with Porucznik (Polish for Lieutenant) Karol Dilling, A spokesperson for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission said: "We're grateful for this being brought to our attention. It shows people care about what we do and why we do it, in caring for graves of the fallen. "We inspected the cemetery last week and pruned some of the plant life. No further action is planned from us." Mauchline Cemetery is cared for by East Ayrshire Council but the memorial headstones and the war graves are maintained by the CWGC.
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Commonwealth Stone erected in Hartwood Cemetery to remember World War One soldier
Thanks to the dedication of the Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery, Patrick Tierney's service and sacrifice have finally been recognised. In a moving moment of remembrance and reconnection, the volunteers of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery came together today to honour a World War One soldier who had long been forgotten. Thanks to the dedication of the Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery, the persistence of Rhona Barr and the compassionate efforts of Scott Cumming and Sehar Sardar from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), Patrick Tierney's service and sacrifice have finally been recognised. A 90kg granite headstone now stands proudly in the cemetery, bearing his name—a lasting tribute to a life once lost to history but now permanently etched in memory. 'Today was one of those rare moments that truly touch the soul,' said one of the volunteers from Friends of Hartwood. 'Though Patrick's journey ended long ago, this moment felt like the beginning of a new chapter, one of remembrance, reconnection, and the rediscovery of family.' Patrick Tierney, believed to have lived out his final days within Hartwood Asylum, was previously buried without recognition in a paupers grave. The installation of his headstone marks not just a correction of historical oversight but a restoration of dignity and honour. In a powerful turn of fate, members of Patrick's family, previously unaware of their ancestor's story, will travel from Ireland to Hartwood this August for a special commemorative service being arranged by Sehar Sardar of the CWGC. This emotional reunion will see Patrick Tierney finally acknowledged not only by the wider public, but by his own descendants. 'He is no longer forgotten. He is home in our hearts,' said the Friends group, reflecting on the journey that began with the discovery of one of their own family's descendants, Private Robbie MacDonald, Royal Scots, who was laid to rest in Villers Station Cemetery, France. The upcoming August service will be open to the public, with further details to be announced in the coming weeks. The community is invited to attend and bear witness as one family, and one village, bringing a once forgotten hero out from the cold.
South Wales Argus
20-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
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: Chris Evans is MP for Caerphilly.
