17 May 2023

Why we work for the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation

Get to know our small but mighty team to understand the personalities behind the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation. 

Working for the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation 

A love of history and a desire to share the stories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the world wars runs through us all at the CWGF. 

We spoke to a couple of our team to learn a bit more about them, their roles, and how and why they came to work for the Foundation. 

First up is Abigail Rowlands. Abigail has a relatively long relationship with Commonwealth War Graves, but we’ll let her do the talking. 

Abi manning the stand at our Evening at Brookwood 2022 event last May.

Hi Abi, thanks for speaking with us. What’s your current role and how long have you been with the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation? 

I am the Individual Giving Fundraising Officer. I have been in my current role since April 2023, having previously been the CWGF’s Fundraising Administrator Apprentice. In 2019, I was also an Intern based at Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.  

Great! Glad you’re with us. So, you’re obviously a big history fan. Where did this love of history come from? 

My interest in History started when I first went to the Battlefields on a school trip. I was completely taken aback by the knowledge of my tour guide.  

It was because of him that I knew I wanted to study History further. I can certainly say that it is a small world indeed as my adviser at university, while specialising in Landscape History, was the daughter of my first tour guide!  

Although my studies didn’t include the History of the Battlefields, I was able to study the work of Sir Edwin Lutyens, one of the original Commonwealth War Graves architects, through his work with country houses. 

And how did you first hear of the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation? 

I first heard about the work of the Foundation when I was an Intern in 2019. As the Interns, now Guides, Programme was supported by the Foundation it was part of our role to share the work of the charity with members of the public.  

Since being an Intern, I was always keen to work for the Commission and Foundation as I wanted to play my part to tell the stories of those who lost their lives during the two World Wars. 

What do you like about working at the CWGF? 

What I enjoy most about working for the CWGF is finding any opportunity to tell casualty stories with our supporters, whether in our magazine or through our online fundraisers such as Walking Our War Graves.  

It is always so wonderful to hear the stories that our supporters have too, whether that is of their own relatives or when they have visited our sites. 

Thanks, Abi! 

Next up is Megan Kelleher. Like Abigail, Megan also has been in and around the Commonwealth War Graves organisation for some time, but we’ll let Megan tell her story. 

Megan briefs staff at our CWGF Scotland launch in March 2023.

Hi Megan. Thanks for speaking to us! Could you please tell us your role and how long you’ve been with CWGF? 

I am the Events and Challenge Fundraising Officer. I have worked for the Commission since 2018, but I have worked for the Foundation since November 2022. 

What do you like about your job role? 

The variety of the work.  

As cliché as it may sound, no two days are the same and I love meeting so many wonderful, like-minded people!  

I also love seeing events through from idea formation to the final result.  

It makes me so proud to see the work the Foundation does come to fruition and to share more information to keep the stories of those in our care alive. 

Lovely stuff. How did you first hear about the Foundation? 

I heard about the CWGF when I successfully applied to be a Centenary Intern (now Foundation Guide) back in 2018.  

It was wonderful to learn about the organisation, and later give back to it after all the amazing opportunities it has provided me with. 

That’s brilliant. Two of our own came through the Guides programme! You’re a bit of a history buff so how did you get interested in learning about the past? 

Growing up near to London, my childhood weekends were spent exploring castles, palaces and other sites of historical significance in Kent and London.  

Although originally I was fascinated by the Tudors (thanks to many weekends at Hever Castle watching the jousting!) I became more interested in military history thanks to many family members serving or working with the Armed Forces and the fascination went from there!  

At University, I generally picked modern history modules and then for my PhD researched the commemoration and care of First World War dead buried in the United Kingdom. 

Thanks for speaking with us Megan! 

Saira Holmes Poses in front of her bushes in her back garden.

Last, but certainly no means least, we speak to Saira Holmes. 

Saira is one of the newest members of our little team here at the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation but has an interesting personal connection to World War One. 

Hi Saira! Could you please give us a little intro on what you do at the CWGF? 

I’m the Foundation’s Trust and Corporate Fundraising Officer.  

I work closely with my colleagues to develop ideas into compelling funding applications which will secure grants to engage a wide range of people with our programme of educational, training, and cultural projects. 

Thank you! How did you come to hear about Commonwealth War Graves? 

I was aware of the work of the CWGC from a previous job at the National Army Museum, part of which involved visiting the Commonwealth war cemeteries.  

However, I didn’t know the Commission had created a charitable foundation until I saw my current job advertised back in October last year.  

The Foundation is relatively new, so we’re keen to spread the word about the amazing work it supports, including unique volunteering opportunities for young people. 

And what do you enjoy about working at CWGF?

 I enjoy the detective work (I’m not called ‘S. Holmes’ for nothing!). 

Each one of the people we commemorate was somebody’s loved one, an individual with a story waiting to be told.  

This aspect of my job – discovering links and parallels between casualties and potential funders – is both challenging and fascinating.  

And, of course, some grant-giving charities evolved from events which unfolded during the wars, which is especially poignant.  

That’s great. Like everyone here at the Foundation, you’re interested in history. What sparked your interest, Saira? 

A slightly damaged, green-tinted photography of Clarence Holmes. He is a WW1-era Britihs soldier wearing his uniform.

Image: Clarence Holmes (1892-1975) in the West Yorkshire Regiment, somewhere in France c.1916 (courtesy of Saira Holmes)

My mum was nineteen when the Second World War started, so I grew up listening to her colourful and evocative recollections of the war years, which piqued my interest.  

My paternal grandfather fought as a young man in the First World War.  

I remember the impact of seeing a tattered photograph of him standing in a trench clutching his rifle, looking extremely dirty.  

He was a Dyer’s Labourer from Bradford – I wonder what he thought of his first (and only) trip overseas! 

Support Megan, Abigail, Saira and the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation team by becoming a member today 

We hoped you enjoyed this chat with a couple of our team members. 

If you’d like to support Megan, Abigail, and the rest of our team then please consider becoming a member today. 

For just £3 a month, Commonwealth War Graves Foundation members enjoy: 

Thank you for your support. Together, we can keep telling the stories of our war dead for generations to come. 

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