THE Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) will be bringing War Graves Week to the town and is offering free tours at Bexhill Cemetery.
War Graves Week (May 11 until May 19) is aimed at encouraging people from the local community to come together and discover the world war heritage on their doorstep to learn about the stories of those commemorated by the CWGC in Bexhill and the skills, dedication and expertise of CWGC staff and volunteers who work to keep memories alive.
The free guided tours will take place for two days, May 12 and May 18, and will give people in Bexhill the chance to discover the remarkable stories of the men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the First and Second World Wars and who are buried in their community.
More than 51 casualties from the two World Wars are buried at Bexhill Cemetery.
They include the stories of an RAF evader; two Canadian First World War soldiers whose imminent return home was cut short; plus two merchant seamen whose graves lay unmarked for 96 years and the sad passing of a mayor’s son.
As a result, 2024 is a significant year for commemoration and the CWGC has launched The Legacy of Liberation campaign to mark the 80th anniversaries of several pivotal moments during the Second World War.
From Kohima and Imphal, to the D-Day Landings, the Legacy of Liberation remembers these remarkable events and War Graves Week is an opportunity to find out more.
Visitors can learn about the stories of local and international heroes.
The tours will be led by David Hatherell who is a volunteer for the CWGC.
Director General of the CWGC, Claire Horton, said: “Behind every name on a war grave or memorial in Bexhill is a human story waiting to be discovered and War Graves Week is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
“As world leaders in commemoration, our mission is to ensure those who died in service, or as a result of conflict, are commemorated so they, and the human cost of war, are remembered forever.”
The CWGC is encouraging the people of Bexhill to seek out the stories in their local area and book onto a free tour during War Graves Week.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is a global leader in commemoration. Founded by Royal Charter in 1917, it works on behalf of the governments of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom to commemorate the 1.7 million men and women from the Commonwealth who lost their lives in the two World Wars.
The cemeteries, memorials, graves, landscapes, and records in their care will be found at 23,000 locations and in more than 150 countries and territories.
To book a tour, visit www.cwgc.org/wargravesweek
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