Local political figures raising awarness of Deeside`s Commonwealth war grave locations

Local political figures raising awarness of Deeside`s Commonwealth war grave locations

THERE are more than 150 war graves commemorating men and women who died during the First and Second World Wars in Alyn and Deeside cemeteries, new figures show.

To mark Remembrance Day, constituency MP Mark Tami and AM Carl Sargeant have lent their support to a project to raise awareness of their locations, set up by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

The organisation honours the 1,700,000 people of the forces of the Commonwealth who died in the two world wars, and cares for cemeteries and memorials at 23,000 locations in 153 countries.

But they say few people realise that of the 23,000 cemeteries and burial plots, more than half can be found in the UK – with 163 graves in Alyn and Deeside.

The CWCG wants to make more people aware of their locations ahead of the 100th anniversary of the First World War in 2014 and has enlisted the help of community leaders in areas across the county.

Mr Tami said:

“Many of these war graves are of men and women who died at home following wounding or sickness overseas.  In other cases, graves will mark the death of men and women on active service, while serving on land, at sea or in the air.  Some cemeteries may not contain war graves, but will have memorials that mark the sacrifice of constituents during the war.

“I would urge anyone with an interest in local history, or who simply wants to pay their respects, to set aside some time to find out more about these sites.”

Mr Sargeant said:

“It is vitally important that we continue to remember, nearly 100 years on from the start of the First World War, the huge sacrifices made by local people and Remembrance Day is the perfect time to do it.

“There are certainly more war graves in Alyn and Deeside than I expected and for people who want to find out more, there are local groups who have a wealth of information on the people and stories behind them.”

 

Image http://www.nzwargraves.org.nz/cemeteries/hawarden-st-deiniol-churchyard