Andrew, our speaker last October, was our guide today at the CWGC site in Stonefall Cemetery. He reminded us about Mr Fabian Ware and how his vision, tenacity and administrative prowess gave the framework of the CWGC work which we still see today. Their work covers the two World Wars (post 1947 is the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence). By 1918 with 1.1 million dead, regiments, under Ware’s insistence, had each appointed a burial officer to keep records, and a Grave Register of the Empire dead was started.
Working with architects such as Lutyens, and gardeners such as Gertrude Jekyll as well as Rudyard Kipling, who had a personal interest after the loss of his son Jack, the choice of headstones, the Memorial Stone of Perpetuity, and the Cross of Sacrifice, which stands in all CWGC cemeteries of more than 40 graves, were designed. The cemeteries were not to be a place of sorrow and plantings still give a peaceful, garden feel.
Equality in death, as demonstrated by the simple Portland stone headstones, is still the watch word and in Stonefall, which is one of five official CWGC cemeteries in this country, we were shown the graves of Muslims, Jews, Canadians, a Czech, a German , a member of the Fijian Royal family, Soviets, New Zealanders, Trinidadians, as well as RAF, Army, ATS and Naval casualties, and even some from the Scriven Hall Transit camp. Each had their own story – some incredibly sad. Two 17 year olds, who had lied about their age, are buried there, two brothers, who died weeks apart, and three Squadron Leaders who had been held in Colditz. The headstones are still cut in Arras and dispatched throughout the world, if stones need replacing.
An early decision had been made not to repatriate the dead but to bury them near where they fell. Hence the fields of cemeteries in France and Belgium. Half the casualties have no known grave but their names are listed at memorials such as the Menin Gate or Thiepval. CWGC Graves at Stonefall are mostly casualties who had been medical evacuations and died here from wounds, or in air accidents, air raids or traffic accidents while serving, and many had died from the Spanish ‘flu 1918-1919. Some were buried in family plots.
It was a very hot day and we appreciated our very knowledgeable guide, but also the shade of trees across the site. One unexpected highlight was the sight of a deer who came from some long grass, jumping through the lines of graves, full of life. We found it all incredibly interesting and moving. Thank you to Nicola for arranging.