Looking back at an exciting partnership between the University of Winchester & Commonwealth War Graves

At the beginning of 2023, we were delighted to announce our partnership with the University of Winchester and offer their students the opportunity to take part in our Speaker and Tour Guide Programme.

Partnering with the University of Winchester

Working alongside local Public Engagement Coordinator Will Reid, the partnership aimed to give students the chance to learn more about Commonwealth War Graves and engage the public with its work, whilst gaining valuable skills that’ll benefit them beyond their studies.

Throughout the year students completed research on local casualties and received training sessions on how to organise and deliver talks and tours. 

They were also offered unique opportunities to help film content for International Women’s Day and attend Coronation and Black History Month events.

The programme culminated in a series of remembrance tours around West Hill Cemetery in Winchester. 

Here is what recent graduate Ben Smith had to say about his experience over the course of the year:

"I first found out about this volunteering position at an event held at the University of Winchester which aimed to inform students about opportunities for humanities students during their studies. It was at this event that I met Will Reid who offered me the chance to work with him as part of his public engagement activities to challenge myself and improve a variety of skills.
 
"The first event I attended was the Royal Celebration Gala at Netley on the 8th of May 2023. We had a stand where people could come and talk to us about Commonwealth War Graves and our work. Later in the day tours were run at Netley Cemetery led by Will and this was where I got my first experience that would come in handy when I ran my own later in the year. 

"Will did an excellent job in providing me with a range of opportunities throughout the year and the Black History Month event at Hollybrook Cemetery was no exception. He entrusted me with delivering the personal story of Nurse Annie Buckler who worked at Netley Hospital during the First World War. This moving experience also helped me understand how to improve my public speaking considering things such as projecting my voice, and where to stand when talking to the group. 

"The climax of my time with Will was conducting tours of my own at West Hill Cemetery in Winchester. The process of creating these tours pooled together my experience and knowledge I had gained over the course of the year and put it all to use. I researched numerous casualties who are buried in the cemetery and told their stories alongside using my knowledge gained of Commonwealth War Graves. 

"Overall, the turnout for the tours was excellent and I successfully managed to deliver three thirty-minute tours to people eager to learn more about their local graves. It was great to chat with people before and after the tours to hear their experiences and perspectives. What stood out to me was that many people were aware of the war graves buried in West Hill Cemetery but did not know the significant role every one of them played. Telling the story of even a few of the servicemen and women buried there helped people realise just that.

"The experience I have gained over the year has been immeasurable. I am extremely grateful to Will for guiding me through the year and thank other War Graves staff and volunteers I have met along the way for helping me progress and being nothing short of kind to me. Everything I have seen has only helped to reinforce for me, the significance of the work Commonwealth War Graves does across the globe.

"The commemoration of the war dead is an extremely vital task, and I am happy I was able to be a small part of the amazing work they do."

Following the success of this year’s partnership, this programme is set to continue in 2024 with a new cohort of Winchester students. 

Opportunities like this are crucial to ensure young people continue to play a part in our work and ensure the sacrifices of those we care for are never forgotten.