Celebrating the women of the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation this International Women’s Day

It’s International Women’s Day! Today, we’re putting the spotlight on some of the amazing women and their incredible work here at the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.

International Women’s Day and the CWGF

We chatted with some of our key team members to understand more about their roles and some of their fantastic achievements working at the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.

First up is Megan Kelleher, our Events & Challenge Fundraising Officer.

Hey, Megan. What’s it like working at the CWGF?

It means the world to me to work for the CWGF, as it is such a varied and fascinating role.

I get to work with some incredible people on a range of amazing projects and am able to ensure that those commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission are remembered by a wide range of people.

 It is a real honour to be able to share the stories of those we commemorate and to keep their stories alive.

That’s great! What is your proudest moment working here?

Probably our inaugural “Commemorations at Christmas” Carol Concert, which we held in December of last year.

It was the first event I completed, a month after starting in the role, and to see so many people join us for an evening of commemoration and celebration was amazing.

Moreover, it was incredibly impactful to have so many wonderful performers on the night and to have our audience on the night leaving the service content with the event.

Which of the women commemorated by the Commonwealth war graves inspires you the most?

Probably First Officer Rosamund King Everard-Steenkamp.

She was born in South Africa and served in both the South African Air Force and Air Transport Auxiliary.

A pioneer of aviation, she was also the first woman to fly a jet aircraft.

Her story is such an incredible one, and really gives a flavour of just how important the roles women played during the two World Wars were to the war effort.

Amazing! So, what does International Women’s Day mean to you?

International Women’s Day to me provides an opportunity to remember and acknowledge all of the incredible things, roles and achievements women have done and continue to do every day.

It’s also my sister’s birthday, which makes it an even more important day to celebrate all of the amazing women I have in my life!

Thanks Megan!

Next up is Saira Holmes. Saira is one of our more recent recruits at the Foundation but is already off to a flying start.

Hi Saira. Thanks for talking to us. What’s your role in the CWGF and how long have you been here? 

I am the Foundation’s Trust and Corporate Fundraising Officer. 

What does your day-to-day role look like? 

Image: Saira Holmes, our intrepid Trust and Corporate Fundraising Officer

I started at the Foundation in October 2022 and my role involves cultivating and managing income generation from trusts, foundations and corporate supporters.  

I spend a lot of time scoping out potential funders, researching their priorities and identifying those which are a good fit with our mission.  

I work closely with my colleagues across the Commission to develop project ideas into compelling and tailored applications which will secure grants and donations to enable us to deliver our programme of educational, training and cultural initiatives. 

What achievement are you most proud of since you joined the Foundation team, Saira? 

The Foundation has just secured a generous grant from the Post Office Remembrance Fellowship for the Commission to develop three ambitious projects which will provide a living memorial to the men and women of the General Post Office (GPO) who died in the two World Wars. 

This is a great endorsement of our work – thank you to all at the PORF! 

Do you have a casualty we commemorate that inspires you?  

One interesting person is Esmée Fairbairn. She played a prominent role in developing the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service. She was killed in an air raid in London on the 19th of August 1944 aged 55 – one of the thousands of civilian war dead we commemorate.  

In 1961, her husband established the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation as a philanthropic memorial to his wife. Today the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation is one of the largest independent grant-making organisations in the UK – an example of how positive outcomes can be created through adversity. 

And what does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

International Women’s Day highlights and celebrates the achievements of many different women, globally. It is also an important day to raise awareness of the issues and challenges women face today.   

Thanks for speaking to us Saira! 

And last, but certainly not least, we spoke to Abigail Rowlands. Abigail is our Fundraising Administrator and is also completing a Level 3 Business Apprenticeship.  

Abigail was also previously a Commonwealth War Graves Guide, working at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme in Northern France. 

Image: Abigail (left), CWG colleague Helen Roberts (right), and historian extraordinaire Dan Snow (centre) at Chalke Valley History Festival 2022 

Hi Abigail. Thanks for speaking to us! What do you enjoy about working in the charity and heritage sector? 

Working as part of a charity that is also connected to the Heritage sector is deeply fulfilling work.  

Those we commemorate are at the heart of everything we do, and it feels so special to be able to play a tiny part in ensuring that those who lost their lives are never forgotten. 

 It is astounding to think that 100 years later, that the work of the CWGC continues to remain relevant and that we can be responsible for shaping how future generations engage with our work.  

That’s great to hear! Do you have a favourite achievement you’re proud during your time at the Foundation? 

My proudest achievement working at the CWGF is working on our annual virtual fundraiser Walking Our War Graves in 2022.  

Pulling together the sites for the route around Normandy not only improved my own knowledge, but it was so humbling to know that I was sharing these stories with so many others. I hope one day that I’ll be able to visit these war cemeteries myself and read their stories by their resting places.  

Great stuff! Our mission at the Foundation is to tell the stories of the Commonwealth’s war dead so their sacrifice is never forgotten. Is there a casualty you find particularly inspirational? 

Nurse Beris Selina Frances Burton-Fanning is an incredible woman who stands out to me.  

Taking a leaf out of her Father’s book, Beris supported the war effort in a medical capacity. At just the age of 22, Beris was caring for injured soldiers at the 1st Eastern General Hospital near Cambridge.  

One night, while on respite, Beris’ nightgown caught on fire causing serious burns all over her body. Rushed away to receive treatment, Beris soon passed away due to shock on 21 October 1916 and is buried in Little Shelford (All Saints) Churchyard, Cambridgeshire.  

I came across Beris’ story while conducting some research on the Burton-Fanning family during university.  

Part of such a remarkable family, it is such a tragedy how Beris died at such a young age, while also having the mental strength to deal with what she would have seen as a nurse.  

That’s amazing. What a moving story. Thanks, Abigail! 

Help the Foundation keep telling their stories 

We believe the memories of the women who inspire our team should be kept alive. You can help us do that by supporting the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation. 

Consider becoming a member today or making a donation to support our important work.