WWII Cemtaries.

[Bernie]

We have a farm house in Scerni which we use for holidays etc.
I am volunteer working with the "British War Memorial" project which has set up a data base collecting photographs of grave stones in the British & Commonwealth Cemetaries throughout the world.These photographs are placed on a data base where relatives of the deceased can access them. Many of the relatives of those who died during the war are never alble to visit the cemetaries and the opportunity to at least have a photgraph of their beloved grave stone is cheristed.

There are a large number of war cemetaries in Italy I wonder if any reader would be willing to assist with the poject by taking photographs of grave stones in a cemetary near where they live in Italy?

If anyone is interested please get in touch and we can discuss the procedure etc. My email address is: "bwb@bwarden.freeserve.co.uk"

[Violetta]

What an excellent idea. Only yesterday I was driving south down the A1 and I thought to myself, wonder how many Allies died trying to liberate the hilltop fortress on top of one particularly high hill south of Orte. Would you have a web site address for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with links to cemeteries in Italy? Personally I find cemeteries fascinating places. There are some amazing ones in India. V

[Oneto15]

Originally Posted by Violetta

What an excellent idea. Only yesterday I was driving south down the A1 and I thought to myself, wonder how many Allies died trying to liberate the hilltop fortress on top of one particularly high hill south of Orte. Would you have a web site address for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission with links to cemeteries in Italy? Personally I find cemeteries fascinating places. There are some amazing ones in India. V

Try this..

:: CWGC ::

[Bernie]

Violetta,

Thanks for your response and remarks. We need volunteers to take photographs of Grave Stones, can you assist?

In addition is there anyone who lives near Anzio who is willing to do the same?

Regards,

Bernard

[Stribs]

Hi Bernard
I don't know if its any help but we are not far from the Canadian Cemetary near Ortona.
Dave

[Bernie]

Dave,
Thank you for your reply. We would be delighted if you could spare some time to take some photos of the Grave Stones at Ortona. I cover the Sangro Cemetery and am halfway through them. I am down in May and hope to complete the exercise.

Our house is near Scerni and perhaps meet up and have a beer somewhere?

Our organisation is lead by Steve Rogers who is the Project Director and he can be accessed via "steve@wargraves.org.uk" I am advising him of your interest and I know he will be delighted to make contactwith you.


Bernard

[Bernie]

Is there anyone who lives or visits the Catania area because we have a WW2 Cemetery there and are very keen to have photographs of the Grave Stones in the Catania War Cemetery - any volunteers around?

Benrard

[Bernie]

I thought I would give everyone an idea of the response from relatives who have rec'd photos of the WW2 Grave Stones.

British War Graves Memorial Project
WW2 Cemeteries photographs taken of Grave Stones.
Some replies from relatives Feb 07

My request has already been fulfilled and brought both closure and peace to my 84 year old mum who had never seen her brother's final resting place until now.
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Thank you so much for this wonderful project.
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That's fantastic! The wait will not be a problem, because I am actually a teacher of history at GCSE level and have just started the project with Year 10. Thanks again for your help and I'll wait to hear again when the picture arrives!! THANK YOU!!
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Steve,
Thank you so much for sending the photos! I feel I have finally found the young man who was really a 'lost boy'. I find it very emotional and admire and appreciate the work you do. On behalf of James and myself, thank you again.
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and have received both the one of Walter Clayton's grave in Kanchanburi and one showing the name of Thomas Marsden on the Chatby Memorial.We were delighted with them. You maintain an excellent service as there is no way we would be able to visit Thailand or Egypt.

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Thank you for continuing in such a worth-while project and I wish you success with future fund raising
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I did receive two photographs very quickly and I must say my family were overjoyed to see where their brother has been commemorated. You and you're colleagues are doing a great job. Regards Andy
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I just can't tell you how delighted I am to have found your site and to be able to get the photo of my grandfather's grave. He died at the end of 1918 on a troop ship that was returning to England and he was buried in Durban, South Africa. My father was only two years old at the time and never had the chance to meet his Dad. He tried to find out about him years later but it was impossible because so many WWI records had been destroyed in the Blitz. I have also tried, using various internet sites, but no information seems to be available other than where he is buried etc.
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For me, finding my grandfather's grave and getting the photo from you is amazing. It feels like I am finally able to bring him home after all these years. Sadly, my Dad is no longer alive but it would have meant an awful lot to him too.
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I can't thank you enough.
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Thank you so much for your help. Carry on the good work, you make me proud to be British.
Best wishes
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Photographs received this morning. They are absolutely excellent. Thank you

Thank you for the photographs received this morning.
My husband will be delighted to get them, when he returns from work.
Thanks again and may your good work continue.

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Many many thanks for this. John Hughes was my Dads 1st Cousin. No-one from the family has ever seen his grave although they knew the grave was at Wormhoudt somewhere.
Your team has done an absolutley magnificant job on this project - a huge effort - well done. I am going to show this to my Dad and John Hughes' sister later this week.
Very much appreciated. Keep up the great work.
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YOU AND YOUR TEAM ARE WORKING SO VERY HARD TO KEEP THE GREAT SITE GOING
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Thank you for the photos they are nice and so clear, its an uncle that I never met.

[liketheroman]

Originally Posted by Bernie

Is there anyone who lives or visits the Catania area because we have a WW2 Cemetery there and are very keen to have photographs of the Grave Stones in the Catania War Cemetery - any volunteers around?

Benrard

My wifes' whole family are from there and we visit remaining family. We could give it a go. If it is actually in Catania, I would not suggest anyone tries it without being accompanied by a local - they will get aggro.

On reflection there had to be one at Catania, Patten landed on the southern beaches and went north to Palermo without resistance, Monty went up through Catania and copped hardened German divisions.

[Chico]

I visited the war cemetary at Gradara a few years ago and it was a very moving experience seeing around 1100 grave stones. Reading the visitor book was even more moving and it became clear that many would never be able to see the final resting place of their loved ones.

I would love to help, but living near Atri (Teramo) I don't believe there are any near. I've had a look on the CWGC website but cannot find anything on the location of the cemetries within Italy.

I would like to congratulate you on such a fantastic and worthwhile project. Well done.

Chico