Over W.I. November Meeting
Stewart McGeogh visited us to speak about the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Stewart, a postman by profession, volunteers his time to deliver talks and lead tours that highlight the thousands of cemeteries and memorials around the world commemorating the men and women who died during the First and Second World Wars.
He explained the origins of the CWGC, founded in 1917 to ensure that every fallen service member would be remembered with dignity—correcting the injustices of earlier centuries when the dead were rarely identified and their graves often went unmarked. Stewart described the extraordinary care given to CWGC sites, which range from tiny burial grounds on former battlefields to vast memorials such as the Menin Gate at Ypres.
He also shared some of the personal stories behind the headstones he has encountered, from a 14-year-old boy to a 91-year-old man, reminding us that each grave represents a real life and a unique sacrifice. Stewart is personally involved in helping to maintain headstones, cleaning and tending them with the same respect shown across all CWGC cemeteries. One of the guiding principles of the organisation is equality in death: there is no distinction of rank, status, or background—senior officers lie beside privates, all honoured equally.
Stewart showed us photographs of the beautifully kept cemetery gardens around the world, each designed to reflect the local climate while maintaining a shared sense of peace and dignity. Today, the CWGC employs around 850 gardeners and is responsible for mowing approximately 98 million square metres of grass each year. It also maintains extensive archives that families and researchers can access to learn more about relatives who served and died in the wars.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 1st December when Diana Boston will be coming to tell us about the Manor House at Hemingford Grey. We look forward to seeing you there.
Rachel King
Over W.I.
