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From:
Subject: Re: [WarBrides] Re:- WW1 Warbrides.
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 05:24:19 EDT


Debbie Beavis wrote:

> Perhaps you could confirm whether those whose parents paid for the burial
> and headstone, are recorded on the CWGC?


The next of kin were not charged money for erecting a headstone. Immediately
after the armistice, there was talk about charging the next of kin a certain
amount of money, per letter, for a personal inscription on the regulation
headstones (which are made of Portland stone). The idea of charging money
was, however, dropped - following adverse publicity.

So, every person who died whilst fighting for 'King and Country," has (in
theory) their name recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which
can be found by accessing the <A HREF="www.cwgc.org">www.cwgc.org</A> website. Where the remains of a
soldier could be identified, and were buried, a headstone was provided. The
stone usually has the soldier's regimental badge inscribed on the stone along
with his/her military number, rank, name and date of death. A cross is
usually placed beneath the name and number (unless the next-of-kin specified
otherwise). The Star of David was offered as an alternative to the cross,
where applicable. The cross was also replaced by an inscription of the
Victoria Cross (and George Cross) for those who were awarded the UK's highest
medals of valour.
The next of kin could choose an inscription to be carved into the very bottom
of the white headstone. The most letters I have ever seen amounted to 100
letters, spread over four lines. Sadly, these often very moving personal
inscriptions are not (YET!!) available to be seen online. However, if you
contact the very helpful staff at the CWGC they will search the register of
inscriptions. Quite a few books have been written, recording the inscriptions
on headstones - the Australian next of kin were not quite so reserved as
British relatives, so many of the Aussie/Kiwi inscriptions are often more
personal - eg "Goodnight Cobber," as oppossed to "Small time but in that
small most greatly lived this star of England." (The latter is found on Lt
Asquith's headstone - son of the WW1 prime minister)
In places like Galipolli, Egypt, and Africa, where the ground is judged to be
too unstable to place the portland headstones, these have been replaced with
small bronze plaques on a short plinth.
Where the remains of a soldier/sailor can't be found, their name is inscribed
into a bronze/stone memorial - and also in the memorials found in almost
every cityu, town, and village in the former British Empire.
My knowledge of the US methods is sketchy. But I do know that the next of kin
of American personell could have the body returned to the USA. This was not
an idea entertained by the commonwealth governments and I know of only a
small handful where wealthy families disobeyed the regulations.

Regards

Pete Wood
<A HREF="www.racingteapots.com">www.racingteapots.com</A>


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