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

We sat down with Hetty Ruane, another of our amazing Commonwealth War Graves Foundation Guides working in France, to learn a little more about her.

Why I wanted to become a CWGF Guide

Thanks for speaking with us Hetty. Let’s start with the big one: Why did you want to work for Commonwealth War Graves?

Image: CWGF Guide Hetty Ruane

I have maintained an interest in history, particularly that of the World Wars, since childhood, going on to study history at university. 

The wars however have been so sensationalised by modern media that the real human toll of both is often overlooked; equally, the numbers are themselves so great that they often become mere statistics. 

Fortunately, the CWGC has - since its inception - sought to ensure that every man and woman within these statistics is remembered as the individual that they were.

Herein is exactly why I wanted to be part of the work that the Commission does.

The adoption of equal commemoration regardless of rank, race, class, or creed fits 21st-century values but was revolutionary for the time, and this is exactly what inspired me to join. 

The soldiers served and died together no matter their background and I wanted to have an opportunity to learn about and share these stories. 

That’s brilliant. We’re always happy when our Guides really engage with us. So, what are you looking forward to the most during your time with us?

I am most looking forward to meeting the visitors to the sites. 

I know many will be wanting to share the personal stories they have with those who are perhaps helping commemorate their relatives and many might themselves be visiting for the first time, or even the very first of their family to come out.

Great! So, what were you doing before? What are you planning to do after?

I graduated in June with a degree in History and French from Cambridge, and I am hoping to find a job in a similar vein to what I’ll be doing as a Guide. 

I would love to continue working in France to maintain my language skills, or at one of the Imperial War Museum sites in the UK to hopefully inspire others to continue the commemorative work of the CWGC, among others. 

Want to support Hetty 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 to the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation today to keep projects like this going.