Why I Became a Commonwealth War Graves Foundation Guide: Alex’s Story

A fresh wave of Commonwealth War Graves Foundation Guides is out in the field in France and Belgium. Here, Guide Alex Rootes shares why he decided to join the programme.

Why I wanted to become a CWGF Guide

Hi Alex! Thanks for becoming a Guide. Why did you decide you wanted to get involved with the programme and work for Commonwealth War Graves? 

Image: CWGF Guide Alex Rootes

As an amateur historian, I constantly find myself fielding history questions from friends and, more often than I’d like to admit, I discover that I have so many more things to learn. 

Luckily, someone will usually chip into the conversation, knowing the answer that I am struggling to reach. This, for me, is one of the great joys of history; debating, discussing and learning about the past in a way that is so much more interactive and intuitive than reading text on a page.

I have a particular passion for attempting to understand and relate to others the experiences and motivations of ordinary people in the past.

That is the crux of why I wanted to be a Commonwealth War Graves Foundation Guide. 

I will have the opportunity to explain to people from across the world, from all backgrounds - and with varying levels of interest in the World Wars - why they are standing at a huge memorial in North West Europe.
 
I love telling these stories and helping to forge a connection between the here and now and the lives, experiences and backgrounds of those who fought.
 
I am hopeful that I may in turn learn something new from the visitors I speak to, some of whom may have treasured memories of family or friends which they are willing to share.

That’s great. Do you have any personal connection to the sites you’ll be working at?

My family managed to sneak through the First World War with no casualties, so while I don’t have a direct connection to the site at Thiepval, I do have relatives buried in Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries in North Africa and elsewhere in Europe.

What are you looking forward to the most about your time as a CWGF Guide?

I am looking forward to discovering where our visitors come from and understanding why they have made the journey. Talking to our visitors is where you can really find some amazing stories.

This week, for example, we had an Australian couple who were visiting specifically to see a relative of theirs commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. 

As far as they knew they were the only members of their family to ever visit and they had travelled all the way from Australia to be there. It is deeply profound to think that people are prepared to travel quite literally across the world to commemorate their relatives who died over 100 years ago.

And how about before joining the Guides Programme? What were you doing before and what are you planning to do after?

Before joining the CWGC I was a Captain in the British Army where I served for slightly over 6 years. 

When I leave, I’m planning to take a bit of time out to consider what career I’d like to pursue next.

Want to support Alex and the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation Guides? Donate Today

The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation Guides Programme gives young history lovers an opportunity to work for Commonwealth War Graves in France and Belgium.

They welcome visitors, share the incredible stories of those commemorated by Commonwealth War Graves, and help assist our guests on their journey of remembrance at important sites like Thiepval in Northern France and Tyne Cot, Belgium.

We’re passionate about preserving the memories of the Commonwealth’s war dead and interacting with young people to keep their stories alive. Our Guides help us in our core mission while becoming equipped with real-life skills to aid their personal development.

Our Guides Programme relies on your generosity.

£100 could pay to fully train one of our Guides ready for their experience of working abroad so they are best able to welcome visitors, share the incredible stories of those we commemorate, and help assist visitors on their journey of remembrance.

Please donate today.