Inside the Archives: Gems from our collection

Welcome to Inside the Archives. We’ve delved deep into the Commonwealth War Graves collection to bring you some interesting items we have stashed away.

Our thanks go to Michael Greet, the Commonwealth War Graves Chief Archivist, who prepared the items and photographs you’re about to see.

We’ve picked out a few items we think will tickle your curiosity buds from across the Commission’s history. We hope you enjoy them.

inside the Archives

St. Sever Chapel Holy Bible

This is a large, hardbound book, decorated with intricate carvings. As you can see, the years have added a patina of wear and tear to this Bible.

As beautiful as the cover is, that’s not all that makes this bible interesting.

The book was originally gifted to the Commission by Mr E.A. Clutten for use in the chapel at St. Sever in 1929.

During the Battle of France in May 1940, Commission staff working in France were hastily evacuated ahead of the German occupation.

Then Commission Head Gardener in France, Nelson Seadon Hanslip, managed to smuggle the Bible out with him and brought it back to the UK.

No easy feat – considering the book measures 380mm x 380mm x 120mm!

Jack Kingston amidst the headstones at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery

This is a poignant photo.

It shows former Imperial War Graves Commission gardener Jack Kingston standing amongst the serried rows of iconic white headstones at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.

Jack worked with the Commission in Belgium for four years between 1920-1924.

His previous visits to Belgium weren’t so peaceful. Jack served as a soldier in the Great War and fought on key Belgian battlefields.

Many of Jack’s friends were killed.

In this photo, we see Jack visiting the grave of his friend Private Ernest Frank Goodall, known as Ernie.

Ernie is buried in Plot XXV, Row C., Grave 26A at Lijssenthoek, alongside more than 10,000 war graves.

The Graves of the Fallen

Early in the Commission’s history, many people were unclear as to our work and our mission.

Those who had lost sons, fathers, husbands, and brothers wanted to know why they couldn’t get their loved ones remains returned to England. Others were confused as to our purpose.

The Graves of the Fallen was published to inform the public about who we are and what we do.

It was written by Rudyard Kipling, one of the most celebrated authors of his time and Commission Literary Advisor.

While only a slim volume, The Graves of the Fallen succinctly outlined exactly what the Commission does.

The Graves of the Fallen was originally published in a 1919 edition of The Times newspaper as an article, but following the backlash to the Commission’s founding, it was turned into a book.

We’ll be focussing on Rudyard Kipling in another edition of Inside the Archives so please keep coming back!

Wooden Grave Marker of Lieutenant Jack Siegel

Before the establishment of CWGC’s iconic stone headstones, graves were marked in a variety of ways.

In this case, we can see one of the original wooden grave markers used to mark the grave of Second Lieutenant Marcus Segal.

Wooden grave markers are exceptionally rare. Many didn’t not survive the transition from wood to stone headstones.

Another unique feature of this grave market is the Star of David motif. Today, our headstones may be a uniform shape, but Jewish soldiers will still have their faith recognised with Star of David engravings. The same goes for Muslim soldiers and those of other faiths.

Visit the CWGC Archive

Did you know you can come and visit our archive? Visits are by appointment only. Check the CWGC website for more information.

Alternatively, you can browse archived items online via the Archive portal.