The CWGC is now a truly global organisation – working to care for war graves at 23,000 locations in more than 150 countries and territories. We commemorate almost 1.7 million individuals.

Who gets a war grave?

We honour and care for the men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the First and Second World Wars, ensuring they will never be forgotten. Funded by six Member Governments, our work began with building, and now maintaining, cemeteries at 23,000 locations all over the world.

What are war grave headstones made of?

Portland Stone
Most Commonwealth War Grave headstones are made of Portland Stone. This is a soft stone and mainly white in colour however, on occasion the Commission have used a red Portland stone, which, in my humble opinion, is not as nice.

Who are we CWGC?

We honour and care for the men and women of the Commonwealth who died in the First and Second World Wars, ensuring they will never be forgotten. Funded by six Member Governments, our work began more than a century ago building cemeteries at 23,000 locations all over the world.

Who gets a CWGC headstone?

Military casualties buried in a grave are commemorated with a CWGC headstone or pedestal marker. If they have been identified, their military details are engraved in a standard layout. Some may also have a religious emblem and personal inscription chosen by their family.

What constitutes a war grave?

A war grave is a burial place for members of the armed forces or civilians who died during military campaigns or operations.

How many CWGC graves are there in the UK?

THERE ARE OVER 306,000 COMMEMORATIONS TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE COMMONWEALTH FORCES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND AT OVER 13,000 LOCATIONS. AROUND 170,000 OF THESE ARE BURIALS, WITH THE REMAINDER BEING HONOURED ON MEMORIALS TO THE MISSING. EACH SITE HAS A UNIQUE PROGRAMME OF INSPECTION, CARE AND MAINTENANCE.

How many British wars Graves France?

4,144 Commonwealth servicemen are buried there, among which 338 are unidentified. The Bayeux Memorial stands opposite the cemetery and bears the names of nearly 2,000 men of the Commonwealth land forces who died in this area and have no known grave.