Get to know our Commonwealth War Graves Guides: Team Thiepval

A fresh wave of Commonwealth War Graves guides is on the ground at some of our iconic sites in France and Belgium – including Thiepval on the Somme. Get to know them a little better here.

Commonwealth War Graves Guides

THE THIEPVAL GUIDES TEAM

Ever spent some time driving around the rolling hills and wide farmlands of Northern France? You may have spotted appearing over the distance the Romanesque magnificence of the Thiepval Memorial while out and about.

The Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme is the largest Commission war memorial in the world. Physically, it’s a huge presence but it also commemorates over 72,000 British and South African WW1 soldiers with no known grave.

The stories of those on its panels are long and interesting, as is the story of the memorial itself. Visit Thiepval and chat to our amazing Guides to learn more!

Speaking of Guides at Thiepval, we sat down with this summer’s team to learn more about them, their role, and what they’re looking forward to as Commonwealth War Graves Guides.

Over to the Guides!

Roman Dekeyswr

Why did you want to work for Commonwealth War Graves?

I've done many jobs in a lot of different fields. From factory worker to tour guide, I even tried to make my own company to produce jam! But well, finding a job in France is not easy, particularly a good one. 

So, when I saw the job on my job search, I chose in less than 5 seconds to apply for it. Why? Because it is the first time I can work for something I love! 

I've been into history since I was 7 years old, and I have a diploma in Tourism and Guidance. And now there is a combination of both: amazing!

I can now give people all the knowledge I have and continue to learn from other Guides and visitors whom I share the same passion with. 

Do you have a personal connection to our sites?

I don't! I'm French after all, so it is pretty normal. 

Still, I've had soldiers in my family, a legionary who was too old to participate in the wars and soldiers from Poland, because I have Polish origins. And during WWII, my Polish great-grandmother and great-grandfather were in a concentration camp in Germany but fortunately survived. They never explained anything more about it. 

So, although I do not have a personal connection to Commonwealth War Graves sites, my love of history gives me a different feeling that connects me to the cemeteries and memorials. 

What are you looking forward to the most?

While I'm less deeply connected to the battlefields themselves - because I'm more into the reasons of war and their consequences in all part of societies, from economy to morals - it is wonderful to explain the stories of an important place for humanity's history as well as the people and soldiers who were in the centre of them. 

It is an honour to wear the uniform of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Foundation and make the new generation understand the importance of remembrance and the work of the Commission.

What were you doing before?

I was working as a guide for a company, but I wasn't liking my job. It was not a good working environment, and it was too different to what interests me. So, I've decided to resign and begin to work for the CWGC. The best choice of the year so far. It will be difficult to leave after my contract.

Do you have any particularly interesting or unusual hobbies?

I'm interested in different kinds of stuff around politics: economy, finance, sociology, ecology, customs; more specifically the history of ideas and connections between socialism and the national question, from the past to the present, in every country around the world!

Annabel Piper

Why did you want to work for Commonwealth War Graves?

I wanted to work for Commonwealth War Graves as a result of my strong interest in history, in particular, the First World War. 

I knew that working for the organisation would provide me with an excellent opportunity to continue to learn about the First World War, with a particular chance to learn more about, and research, the soldiers who were casualties of the conflict. 

I am sure that the skills I acquire will be invaluable and will really help me during my time at the CWGC, as well as in my future. 

Having grown up only a short distance away from the Commission’s Cannock Chase War Cemetery and visiting the battlefields of France and Belgium through school, I knew that working for the Commonwealth War Graves would provide me with a unique opportunity to learn about and get involved with, the processes and operations of such sites. 

Commonwealth War Graves sites are always so beautifully cared for, and I’m really excited to get to meet some of the people who make the work possible. 

Working as a Guide in France will allow me to develop as a person, (hopefully) learn some French, and enhance further skills through working with the public as well as my colleagues.  

What are you looking forward to the most?

I am most looking forward to meeting all the visitors at Thiepval and helping visitors find their personal connections to the memorial. It will be an incredible experience to be able to help visitors learn more about their relatives who were involved in the First World War. 

I believe that it is so special to have the opportunity to reunite visitors with their family members who are commemorated on the memorial, and I feel honoured that these families may share their stories of the men commemorated on Thiepval with us. 
 
I also think it will be very interesting working with the school groups who visit the site, with the Guide Programme providing an excellent opportunity for us to get young people interested in history, as well as involved with commemoration and remembrance.  

What were you doing before? What are you planning to do after? 

After the Guide Programme has finished, I will return to Keele University to complete the final year of my degree in History and International Relations. 

I have previous experience as a volunteer teaching history in a primary school, and I really hope that I can continue to utilise the knowledge and skills that I acquire throughout this program to continue to connect students with the past. 

Sophie Rebairo

Why did you want to work for Commonwealth War Graves?

Before working as a Guide, I have volunteered for the CWGC multiple times. 

My most fond experience was when I had the opportunity to assist Public Engagement Co-ordinator Sarah Moody in doing tours for Heritage Open Days at the Cannock Chase War Cemetery and German Military Cemetery. 

I assisted with all of the tours by doing short talks about the German Zeppelins in WWI - a topic I researched for my A-level project. I thoroughly enjoyed this and therefore wanted the opportunity again to do something similar but this time on a bigger scale by presenting the whole tour alone. 

Being on the other side and actually giving the tour is very rewarding and I am excited about getting the chance to do this and contribute to the amazing work of the commission.

Do you have a personal connection to our sites?

I fortunately do not have any family members that were killed and therefore are looked after by the Commonwealth War Graves, but I spent two years doing a project for my A-levels and as a result, now feel a personal connection with the CWGC.

What are you looking forward to the most?

I am really looking forward to sharing my passion for history, particularly the First World War, with the visitors of Thiepval and getting the chance to speak to people from all over the world. 

It will be fantastic to share some of the stories of the servicemen that Commonwealth War Graves commemorate to give people more of an insight into the conflict that took place and educate them on the work of the organisation. 

What were you doing before? What are you planning to do after?

I am studying History at the University of Manchester and have just completed my first year. When I finish my time in France as a Guide I will continue studying there for another two years.

Do you have any particularly interesting or unusual hobbies?

I play the clarinet and saxophone and during my first year of university, I have started learning and then teaching Salsa and Bachata.

Eleanor Harrison

Why did you want to work for Commonwealth War Graves?

I wanted to work for Commonwealth War Graves because I love history, and the First World War as a topic of historical inquiry is particularly rewarding as there is so much potential for finding amazing stories that are completely unknown to most people. 

During my time in France so far, I have really been enjoying investigating the stories of some of the names on Thiepval and my particular focus has been on the nine international rugby players who are commemorated in the memorial. 

I also love speaking to people and this job has given me the opportunity to share my passion with a wider audience. 

Do you have any personal connection to the sites?

My great uncle Leonard Chiswell who was a Gunner in the Royal Field Artillery. He died aged 21 in the bombardment proceeding the Battle of the Menin Road and is buried in Voormezeele Enclosure Nos 1 and 2. 

I have visited his grave multiple times however it is only now that I am about to turn 21 too that I really appreciate how young he was and the extent of his sacrifice. 

What are you looking forward to the most?

I am particularly looking forward to helping people find their own personal connections to Commonwealth War Graves sites as I have found this to be the most fulfilling aspect of the Guide program so far. 

Last week I had a really special encounter with a family who knew very little about their missing relative, and I was able to not only help them locate his name on Thiepval but also find them a picture. 

In the next ten weeks, I really hope that I am lucky enough to have some similar encounters as this was a particularly moving day for me. 

What were you doing before? What are you planning to do after?

I am currently studying for a Master of Arts in Modern History at the University of St Andrews, and upon graduation next year I hope to either join the police as a detective or continue within the field of historical research.

Do you have any particularly interesting or unusual hobbies?

As a hobby I have been trying to learn the basics of British Sign Language, however after a traumatic encounter in an Arras pharmacy, I have also been attempting to pick up some French.

Estelle Dupont

Why did you want to work for Commonwealth War Graves?

I wanted to work for Commonwealth War Graves because of the opportunity it would give me to share the experience with like-minded people, who share the same interest for remembrance and history. 

Living in Northern France means that I grew up surrounded by cemeteries and memorials, and naturally growing older I became more and more interested in finding out who the men laying in these cemeteries were and why they were there. 

Working for Commonwealth War Graves, a world-renowned organisation, is my way to pay my respects to the soldiers who came from all over the world and died on the French battlefields. 

I want to make sure their sacrifice is never forgotten, and this job is my way of carrying out the work and making sure their stories are being told.

Do you have any personal connection to the sites?

While I do not have an ancestor commemorated by Commonwealth War Graves, I still feel a very strong personal connection to the sites. 

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the men commemorated on our memorials or laying in our cemeteries. 

I am eager to learn more about them, talk about their lives and try to get a sense of who they really were. My great-grand-father fought during WWI, and I like to think all the graves I regularly visit now could be those of his long-lost comrades. 

What are you looking forward to the most?

What I am looking forward to the most would be to be able to help our visitors find their relatives, be it on one of our memorials or finding their grave. 

I feel very grateful to be able to help and to create deep, personal connections with our visitors. I like to hear about the stories from all over the world; I think there is so much to learn, and I can tell I will definitely come out richer from all the discussions. 

What were you doing before? What are you planning to do after?

Before joining Commonwealth War Graves, I used to work as a temporary education coordinator in La Coupole, near Saint-Omer, France. 

This site is unique; it is a bunker that was built by the Nazi forces of Germany in 1943 to serve as a launch base for V2 rockets directed against London. It was heavily bombarded by the RAF in 1944 and abandoned. It has now turned into a museum where visitors can learn more about the German occupation in Northern France, the V-weapons, and the history of space exploration. 

I was in charge of the relationship with teachers and students, helping them prepare their visit and coordinate the workshops. 

Before that, I have been working as a tour guide/cultural mediator at different sites in the region (Louvre Lens Museum, ancient mining site, old monastery, etc.). 

Do you have any particularly interesting or unusual hobbies?

As a hobby, I am the secretary for a local remembrance association, "Les Lueurs de Lorette en Bas-Pays". We dedicate ourselves to the study of the First World War and its effects in the French region around La Couture, Vieille-Chapelle, as well as providing support for the "Garde d'Honneur", the team of volunteer guards that watch over Notre-Dame-de-Lorette (the world's largest French military cemetery), of which I am a part.

Eleanor Dufton

Why did you want to work for Commonwealth War Graves?
      
I wanted to work with Commonwealth War Graves because, through my studies with a Professor from my university, I had learnt about the work that the organisation carries out around the world, specifically in France. 

Last summer I worked with ONAC at Mont-Valérién, a Second World War memorial and tour site on the outskirts of Paris. Having spoken to the team there, they all were enthusiastic when I mentioned the Commonwealth War Graves Guides Programme and said it would be an amazing experience. I also thought it would be an interesting opportunity to compare the way the Commonwealth War Graves and the French government commemorate the fallen. 

I love history and so this programme allows me to develop my research skills and my history knowledge whilst developing other useful skills in being a Guide, working in a team and interacting with the general public. I also study and speak French so this also allows me to practise and develop my speaking skills.

What are you looking forward to the most?

I am most looking forward to interacting with the public, in French and English, and giving guided tours. I love that I am able to learn more about a subject I am passionate about and to share this passion and knowledge with those that visit the site and want to learn more. 

I also think it will be amazing to give the opportunity to the visitors to share their stories and why they are visiting. I think the school groups will be particularly interesting as it gives us the chance to get young people involved and interested in history. 

What were you doing before? What are you planning to do after?

From April until the end of August 2022, I was working in the WW2 Mont-Valérién memorial in Suresnes, and then in September I moved to Spain. 

I worked with the British Council until the end of May, at a secondary school, teaching English to Spanish students, before coming here to France. 

Both of those work placements were part of my Year Abroad whilst in my third year at university. 

After this work placement has ended, I will be going back to Leeds University to finish my degree in Spanish and French before applying for a Master’s in History.

Learn more about Commonwealth War Graves Guides

The Guides Programme is one of our cornerstone projects at Commonwealth War Graves.

It’s a totally unique opportunity for young people from around the world to share their passion for history, discover more about the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and Foundation, and enjoy personal development.

Learn more about the Guides Programme here – or by coming and visiting us at Thiepval in Northern France!