Looking back at another wonderful year for the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation

2023 was a year full of brilliant moments for the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation. Join us for a look back at some of our highlights from last year.

The Commonwealth War Graves Foundation in 2023

We partnered with the Post Office Partnership to explore new exciting ways to commemorate the fallen

We announced an exciting new partnership with the Post Office Remembrance Fellowship in February.

Alongside the PORF, we are exploring new ways to commemorate the men who served with the Post Office Rifles, as well as the other millions in Commonwealth War Graves’ care.

Through their incredible generosity, we have been able to develop For Evermore: Stories of the Fallen, our brand-new digital portal for capturing the stories and memories of the fallen of the World Wars.

This is a fantastic new way for you to share your family stories of those commemorated by Commonwealth War Graves and a way for us to enshrine them forever. Be sure to visit For Evermore and share your story!

We launched the COMMONWEALTH War Graves Foundation in Scotland

In March, the Foundation travelled to the beautiful surroundings of Edinburgh Castle’s Great Hall to formally launch the CWGF as a charity in Scotland.

The event was attended by some very special guests and supporters, including Foundation Trustee Major General Alastair Bruce who graciously hosted the event.

Over 130 guests were in attendance, representing members of the Armed Forces, consulate representatives, local and national politicians, and many more important groups.

This was a significant milestone for the Foundation. With the Scotland launch, we will be able to raise funds there to ensure our work on commemoration and education continues.

We enjoyed another magical An Evening at Brookwood event

An Evening at Brookwood has quickly become one of our signature fundraising events since its launch in 2022.

The event returned in July this year, with 300 families, history enthusiasts and CWGF supporters coming from across the country to Brookwood Military Cemetery for a special evening of music and commemoration.

We were once more blown away by the exceptionally talented performers who enthralled audience under Brookwood’s sunny skies.

2023’s acts included scintillatingly skilled harpist Milo Harper, award-winning folk trio Harp and a Monkey, Surrey Wing’s Royal Air Force Cadets band, and legendary comedian, author, and songwriter Richard Digance.

Director of the Foundation, Volunteering and Outreach Michelle Jennings said: “An Evening at Brookwood was an amazing experience and brilliant achievement for everyone involved. It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the evening and it was every bit as moving and special as we had hoped.”

An Evening at Brookwood will be back in May 2024 so keep an eye on our Events page for all the latest activities to watch out for.

We celebrated the Runnymede Memorial’s 70th anniversary

Image: © Malcolm Triggs

October 2023 marked 70 years of the Runnymede Memorial and we were on hand to mark this momentous occasion with a ceremony held at the quietly moving memorial.

130 guests from across the UK and Commonwealth joined us for several moving speeches, wreath layings and hymns in the sombre yet stunning Runnymede Memorial, delivered by special guests and CWGC representatives.

The event was crowned by the illumination of the memorial with newly installed lighting. CWGF supporter Mr Alastair Kerr paid for the new installations through a hugely generous contribution.

The lights are now a permanent fixture at the memorial. We would like to say a massive thank you once again to Mr Kerr for his generosity.

Over 20,000 men and women of the Commonwealth Second World War air forces who lost their lives on operations from the UK, North and Western European air bases but have no known grave are commemorated by name on the Runnymede Memorial.

We hosted our second Members Day

We hosted our second Members Day in October, welcoming members to our Maidenhead office, with some coming from as far afield as New Zealand to be there!

Members Day is our way of giving something back to our brilliant members who support us all year round. We invited them to join us in Maidenhead, to meet both us and their fellow members, as well as Commonwealth War Graves Commission staff.

We treated attendees to talks shining a spotlight on the work of the Foundation and Commission, including a look in the CWGC archives, an operations roundup, and much more.

We came together for another very special commemorative Christmas Carol Service

Rounding off the year was the 2023 Carol Service, held within the gilded beauty of the Guards’ Chapel, London.

This year, we were joined by special guests Gyles Brandreth, Dr Hilary Mantel and the dazzlingly talented mezzo-soprano Emma Brown, plus the Guards’ Chapel Choir, for an intimate evening of commemoration and remembrance.

Following the amazing performances and moving readings, we retreated with our VIPs for a get-together in the Officers’ Mess. The canapes and mulled wine were flowing as we unwound and toasted another fantastic year for the Foundation.

“The CWGC Carol Service in support of the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation is a highlight in our annual calendar,” CWGF Director of Fundraising Laura Stoker said. “Every ticket sale and donation helps us to keep the stories of those in our care alive. 

“This is a wonderful time of year to come together to remember and commemorate the fallen, and this year it was made even more special by our talented special guests. We are so grateful to everyone who joined us for the Carol Service to support the important work of the Foundation.”

How you can support the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation in 2024

We’ve got lots planned in 2024 but if you want to support our core mission of keeping the memories of the Commonwealth’s war dead alive here’s how.

• Make a donation
• Preserve their legacy by leaving one of your own
• Take up the Walking Our War Graves virtual challenge
• Join the Foundation as a member

To all Foundation backers new and old, we’d like to say a massive thank you.

We can’t do what we do without your aid and assistance, so we hope you’ll stay with us on our journey into the new year and beyond.