Commonwealth War Graves

Ian Mitchell's involvement with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) began after a battlefield visit in 2016 whilst still at Beath High School. Inspired by his grandfather's First World War service and the lace postcards he sent home, Ian became a volunteer through the CWGC's "eyes on, hands on" programme.

Caring for Local War Graves
Through CWGC Ian maintains 13 cemeteries across Fife, Perth and Kinross, ensuring headstones remain clean and well-preserved. His local sites include Tulliallan, Torryburn, two in Culross, Kinghorn, Burntisland, Kinglassie, Ballingry, Dunning and Forteviot. This year, he has also begun conducting tour days, focusing on casualties from Douglas Bank through to Torryburn.

The CWGC's Origins and Mission
The Commission traces its roots to Sir Fabian Ware, who recognised during the First World War that casualty numbers would be substantial. Initially forming a Graves Registration Unit, this evolved into the Imperial War Graves Commission in May 1917, becoming the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in the 1960s. The CWGC is now the world's largest horticultural organisation.

The Commission operates on three fundamental principles: all casualties must be commemorated by name on either a headstone or memorial; commemorations must be permanent; and there should be no distinction for rank or status. At Douglas Bank Cemetery, Pattiesmuir, an admiral lies beside a stoker, both with identical headstones.

Coverage and Timeline
The CWGC commemorates 1.7 million names worldwide, covering casualties from 4th August 1914 to 31st December 1921 for the First World War, and 3rd September 1939 to 31st August 1947 for the Second World War. This extended timeframe recognises those who died from war-related injuries after hostilities ended.

Local Stories of Interest
Ian shared several compelling local connections. The highest-ranked First World War casualty buried in Fife is the former Second Sea Lord at Rosyth Old Cemetery. Jane Mackie in Ballingry Cemetery is the only woman's headstone Ian maintains; she served in the ATS and died in 1946.

At Torryburn, the Gordon brothers share a plot - Alec died in 1919 from wounds sustained in a Valleyfield pit accident whilst still listed in the Black Watch, whilst James died in 1928. Such shared plots are not uncommon; at Beath Old Cemetery, a father and son from different wars rest together.

A particularly poignant story involves John Leonard from Inverkeithing, buried at Torryburn. He died when his Liberator bomber crashed into mountains returning from a mission in Northern Ireland. His brother Mitchell is commemorated but not buried there - he was captured by the Japanese at Ambon and died in a concentration camp. His remains were moved to Ambon Cemetery in Indonesia, illustrating the CWGC principle that casualties are commemorated once.

Research revealed William Wilson from Lochgelly was on the same flight as Leonard, part of a tragic sequence where three Liberator crews were killed in crashes within two days.

Getting Involved
The CWGC, now sponsored by the McRobert Trust following the Post Office Foundation's withdrawal, welcomes volunteers and visitors. The "Forevermore" app allows people to contribute stories about relatives and friends, creating a lasting historical record. Tours run from April onwards across the country, and those interested can find information on the CWGC website.

As Ian emphasised, these 1.7 million names represent individuals with stories deserving to be remembered forevermore.

PP Stuart proposed the vote of thanks