When the British public thinks of war graves, they picture sprawling, immaculate headstone fields in France, Belgium, or Gallipoli rather than the single headstone tucked away in a local parish churchyard.

Many people aren't aware that there are Commonwealth War Graves in the UK.

"Often it's the military groups we talk to that know the least", said Elizabeth Smith, Public Engagement Coordinator at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) .

In the last 10 or 15 years CWGC started putting up green signs by entrances to encourage people to step inside, pay their respects, and learn more about local history.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is inviting people in Yorkshire to uncover the fascinating history on their doorstep this September as part of Heritage Open Days, which is the country’s largest festival of history and culture. In Yorkshire, the CWGC will be hosting free tours in several towns including Harrogate, Rotherham and Scarborough between the 11 th and 20 th September. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the work of the CWGC and the stories of some of those we commemorate.

placeholder image — The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is inviting people in Yorkshire to uncover the fascinating history on their doorstep this September as part of Heritage Open Days, which is the country’s largest festival of history and culture. In Yorkshire, the CWGC will be hosting free tours in several towns including Harrogate, Rotherham and Scarborough between the 11 th and 20 th September. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the work of the CWGC and the stories of some of those we commemorate.

Through a programme of free Heritage Open Day tours and talks, the CWGC will be welcoming visitors to cemeteries in Yorkshire to learn more about the servicemen and women who lost their lives during the World Wars and the Commission’s ongoing work to ensure their stories are never forgotten.

Tours are being held at Beverley, Fulford, Harrogate, Malton, Rotherham, Scarborough, Selby, starting tomorrow.

While over half a million casualties are commemorated in France, the UK has more than 306,000 casualties commemorated in more than 13,000 locations.

"There are more sites with War Graves than Post Offices” says Elizabeth.

Head gardener Tim Lambert tends to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site Stonefall Cemetary in Harrogate as the nation gears up to the 80th anniversary of D-Day later in the year photographed for the Yorkshire Post by Tony Johnson

The formal policy of non-repatriation of military bodies began in March 1915. Soldiers who died overseas had to be buried where they fell.

To prevent a class divide, the government decreed that all soldiers—regardless of rank, wealth, or social standing—would be buried side-by-side.

Attempting to identify, exhume, embalm, and transport hundreds of thousands of decomposing remains across the English Channel while active combat was ongoing was logistically impossible and posed massive health risks.

Also the government feared that a constant influx of thousands of coffins arriving at ports and train stations would shatter public morale and fuel intense anti-war sentiment.

It was sometimes pure chance if a body was buried near their home. Private Victor Leethem Chambers served with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and was shot in the head in the Battle for Delville Wood, a brutal, six-week series of engagements during the Battle of the Somme in July 1916.

Victor was brought back to the UK for treatment but died in a Glasgow hospital aged 19 on Sunday October 1. At the family’s request his body was brought back to Selby for the funeral.

Elizabeth said: "Heritage Open Days are a wonderful opportunity for people to explore the history around them and discover incredible stories that may have been hidden in plain sight for generations.

"We are delighted to be welcoming visitors to sites across Yorkshire and hope that people from across the county will join us to learn more about the men and women we commemorate, the work of the Commission and the role their local communities played in the World Wars." To book a tour visit https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/open-days/