A chat with our amazing Commonwealth War Graves volunteers for Volunteers Week

It’s Volunteers Week! Here’s what some of our amazing volunteers say about volunteering with Commonwealth War Graves.

Volunteers Week

Commonwealth War Graves volunteers

We’re proud of our volunteers' huge impact at Commonwealth War Graves.

From volunteer speakers sharing the stories of the fallen, and the work of Commonwealth War Graves, to Eyes On, Hands On volunteers helping us care for isolated war graves, we can’t shout about them enough.

But why do people volunteer for Commonwealth War Graves? We spoke to a few of the brilliant people who donate their time to us to find out.

Why I volunteer for Commonwealth War Graves: Adrian’s story

Image: Adrian in action, giving a tour (Photo courtesy of Adrian Hughes)

Adrian Hughes was one of the first to join our Eyes On, Hands On volunteering project. Since joining us, his patch has grown to cover 200 war graves in Conwy and Gwynedd, Wales.

“For the last twenty years, I have been researching the fallen on my local war memorial,” Adrian said. “I decided that I would like to visit all their graves and the memorials that they are commemorated on regardless of where that is in the world. 

“To do this I have visited CWGC sites across Asia, Africa and Europe and have always been in awe of the work that a small, dedicated team does to look after the graves of the fallen in perpetuity. 

“When the prospect arose to volunteer for the Commission in my local area, I jumped at the chance and the opportunity to do ‘my bit’.”

In addition to his Eyes On, Hands On duties, Adrian is also a volunteer tour guide, as he explains: “It is giving talks and conducting walks that give me the greatest pleasure. 

“I have enjoyed researching the fallen who I talk about, and it is these backstories that bring home to the public the sacrifices that previous generations made. I am passionate about telling people about the work of Commonwealth War Graves and those that they commemorate.

“Volunteering for the CWGC, especially giving talks and walks, has made me more confident especially when talking to larger groups.”

Why I Volunteer for Commonwealth War Graves: Rocky’s Story

Image: Rocky amongst the tombstones delivering a talk (Photo courtesy of Rocky Salmon)

“The Great War has always been a passion of mine and I have been giving guided battlefield tours for many years,” Royal Navy veteran and Commonwealth War Graves volunteer Rocky Salmon said. 

“Because I have spent so much time visiting Commonwealth War Graves cemeteries in France and Belgium and seen first-hand the awesome commitment that the organisation makes towards remembering the fallen, I decided to volunteer to support their work in the UK in my spare time.”

Rocky’s patch is West Cornwall where, under the Eyes On, Hands On programme, helps monitor and care for over 900 war graves in an area stretching from Land’s End to Truro. 

Like Adrian, Rocky is a volunteer tour guide too!

“There is nothing more satisfying than giving a tour, standing next to the grave of a person who died in either the First or Second World Wars and being able to tell people who these men and women were and what they did for us,” Rocky said.

Volunteering as a guide opens unique research opportunities as well – something history enthusiasts like Rocky enjoy.

“When I first researched the war graves in Penzance Cemetery for one of my tours, I discovered the background of 27-year-old Flight Lieutenant John Railton of the Royal Naval Air Service, who died whilst flying off the Cornish coast during the First World War. 

“I realised that he did the same job, in the same rank at the same age as me in my early naval career… I found a picture of him from over 100 years ago in pretty much the same uniform as I used to wear - it’s a memorable connection that I now have every time I see his grave.”

Why I Volunteer for Commonwealth War Graves: Ian’s Story

Image: Commonwealth War Graves volunteer Ian Howell. Thanks for your hard work Ian!

The social aspect of volunteering is huge.

For Commonwealth War Graves Volunteer Ian Howell, it’s one of the key reasons why he chose to volunteer with us.

“I do enjoy meeting people, be it when you are cleaning headstones, or taking a tour around a cemetery or visiting some amazing buildings to give a talk about the work of the Commonwealth War Graves,” Ian told us. 

“Last year I did a talk to a group in Llandaff at a converted and renovated building in the grounds of the Bishops Palace across the road from Llandaff Cathedral. 

“One of the ladies organizing the talk informed me that her husband was the great, great nephew of Sir Frederic Kenyon who wrote the Kenyon Report. She had brought a copy of the report along for me to see and that report is mentioned in the talk that we deliver.”

Ian is another one of our EOHO volunteers, covering a wide variety of sites across South Wales. 

“Last Spring the time was right for me to take a step back from working full time and I was able to go part-time, which enables me to be more flexible when I want to do some Eyes On Hands On volunteering which helps to keep me active and is out in the fresh air,” Ian explained. “It gives me more time to do something that I am passionate about with my several volunteer roles with Commonwealth War Graves.”

Why volunteer for Commonwealth War Graves?

So, why should people volunteer with us? 

“To anyone thinking of volunteering, I would say that It is a truly rewarding and worthwhile experience,” Ian said. “You will meet some amazing people who have some incredible stories, they have photographs and information that they are happy to share to keep the memories of their relatives alive.

And what does Rocky say to anyone thinking of volunteering with Commonwealth War Graves?

“Have a go! It’s really fulfilling and ever so interesting! You can put in as much time as you can spare and there may be war graves right on your doorstep that you never knew about. There are so many ways that you can get involved to help keep their stories alive.”

“I volunteer with several organisations and can honestly say that with Commonwealth War Graves, I truly feel valued, and the support has always been amazing,” Adrian said. 

“Also, I firmly believe that volunteering with the organisation makes a difference: damaged headstones are replaced, action is taken when issues are reported and the feedback from giving talks and walks has a positive impact on people.”

What is Volunteers’ Week?

Marking its 40th anniversary this year, Volunteers Week celebrates the brilliant work of volunteers nationwide.

This year’s week runs between 3-8 June. It’s a chance to recognise, celebrate and thank the UK’s incredible volunteers for all they contribute to our local communities, the voluntary sector, and society as a whole.

The Big Help Out at Brookwood Military Cemetery

Volunteers’ Week 2024 climaxes with The Big Help Out where people across the UK will get the chance to experience a range of volunteer taster sessions.
You can join Commonwealth War Graves for The Big Help Out this year on Friday 7 June at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey.

From 10.00 am to 03.00 pm, you’ll have to chance to come and get stuck in to help Commonwealth War Graves’ fantastic horticultural team maintaining the largest Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in the UK.

At over 37 acres, and holding over 5,000 Commonwealth war graves, Brookwood is a big site! So, come and down and lend a had for The Big Help Out.

Sign up for The Big Help Out at Brookwood Military Cemetery here!

Volunteer with Commonwealth War Graves

We always want to hear from anyone interested in volunteering with us!

If you want to join Adrian, Rocky, and Ian and volunteer for Commonwealth War Graves, head to the Volunteering page to discover the latest opportunities. 

Support the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation

It’s our mission to keep alive the stories of all those Commonwealth servicemen and women who fell during the World Wars so their sacrifice is never forgotten.

Through your support, we can continue to share the stories of those in Commonwealth War Graves care.