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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: classicgirl on Sunday 30 June 19 10:25 BST (UK)

Title: Where do I look for who tended war graves?
Post by: classicgirl on Sunday 30 June 19 10:25 BST (UK)
Hiya

Have got a great uncle in my mums tree who fought in WW2, When the war ended he never returned to UK, instead he married a French girl and stayed to tend the war graves, last known address was in Lilles, so am assuming he tended war graves there. Is there anywhere I can find this out?

His name was Sidney Wilson b1923 in Lincoln and he married a Jeanne in Lille France

Any pointers gratefully accepted

Happy Hunting

Carolyn x

Title: Re: Where do I look for who tended war graves?
Post by: RJ_Paton on Sunday 30 June 19 10:30 BST (UK)
Have you tried contacting the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) they may have information or at least point you in the right direction

https://www.cwgc.org/contact-us
Title: Re: Where do I look for who tended war graves?
Post by: AntonyMMM on Sunday 30 June 19 10:31 BST (UK)
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission employed people - many of them local people, but some ex soldiers who stayed (or went back)- to look after the war graves and cemeteries. They still do.

They have a very good archive, in Maidenhead, which does include staff records.

https://www.cwgc.org/history-and-archives/cwgc-archive
Title: Re: Where do I look for who tended war graves?
Post by: classicgirl on Sunday 30 June 19 10:36 BST (UK)
Thank You for your replies, Much appreciated.

I didn't Know they were employed by the Commonwealth war graves commission.

You have given me an opening to track down this elusive man.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, Your Superstars xx

Happy Hunting Trees

Carolyn :) x

Title: Re: Where do I look for who tended war graves?
Post by: Sloe Gin on Monday 01 July 19 19:58 BST (UK)
Quote from: classicgirl on Sunday 30 June 19 10:25 BST (UK)
last known address was in Lille, so am assuming he tended war graves there.

He would probably have been part of a mobile team.  They would be responsible for a region containing a number of cemeteries and would travel around.  Immediately after the war there would have been a lot of restoration work needed, as many cemeteries had become overgrown and neglected.

For anyone interested in the work of the CWGC in establishing the war cemeteries and memorials, I recommend reading "The Unending Vigil" by Philip Longworth.
Title: Re: Where do I look for who tended war graves?
Post by: Viktoria on Monday 01 July 19 20:57 BST (UK)
Not sure about other places but in Ypres the personnel were English, a big enough number for a school to be built for their children.
St George’s Memorial School. Elverdinghestraat..Ypres.
Gradually over the years many were replaced by Belgians

i
 Of course in WW2 English men would have been taken as P.O.Ws. As Belgium was totally in German hands.
Hope you make some headway with  your enquiries.
Viktoria.
Title: Re: Where do I look for who tended war graves?
Post by: IMBER on Wednesday 03 July 19 16:48 BST (UK)
Commission staff came from all over the UK, not just England.

Imber
Title: Re: Where do I look for who tended war graves?
Post by: Viktoria on Wednesday 03 July 19 17:15 BST (UK)
Sorry ,.
Thanks for the correction , I ought to have put British.
Viktoria.