Last week I had the privilege of visiting war graves at Kenilworth Cemetery – a reminder that the visible history of loss in two world wars is not confined to the beaches of Normandy or the fields of Flanders, but is present in our own communities, and in communities across the country and the world.

I visited during War Graves Week, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's annual invitation to discover the stories behind the men and women commemorated at their sites worldwide.

It was a chance to reflect not just on our nation's history, but on the local lives cut short and the families left behind. I was joined by CWGC volunteers Sarah and Mark Hann, who dedicate time to maintaining graves in our area, and by Sarah Moody, the CWGC's local Public Engagement Coordinator, who brought the history of Kenilworth's war dead to life with remarkable knowledge and care.

The CWGC commemorates personnel who died in service during the First and Second World Wars, as well as those who died after discharge if their death was caused by wartime service. Military casualties buried in a grave are commemorated with a CWGC headstone, engraved with their military details, and some also carry a religious emblem and personal inscription chosen by their family.

Those with no known grave are recorded on Memorials to the Missing. In total, the Commission cares for the records of 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth who died during the world wars.

For anyone who would like to explore the stories behind those commemorated, I would encourage you to download the free CWGC War Graves app. It allows you to search for war graves at more than 23,000 locations across more than 150 countries, using your phone's location to find sites near you, with maps, cemetery photos and guided tours of key sites.

You can also contribute to For Evermore, the CWGC's online portal where personal stories of the fallen are shared and preserved – ensuring that those we commemorate are remembered not just as names on stone, but as real people whose loss was felt deeply by those who knew them.

The graves in Kenilworth are so well cared for because local volunteers give their time so generously. I'm grateful to Sarah, Mark and everyone who makes that possible. These sites, often set in beautiful surroundings, are well worth visiting with family and friends and taking a moment of quiet reflection.

advertisement

Find out more online here.