South East UK volunteers and PECs come together in Sevenoaks

South East UK volunteers had the opportunity to meet up with their Area Co-ordinators last weekend for a lovely afternoon in Sevenoaks.

Commonwealth War Graves volunteer meet up

Image: The volunteers together at Greatness Park Cemetery, Kent (Photo courtesy of Sarah Nathaniel) 

Jennifer Allen (EOHO SE1) and Sarah Nathaniel (PEC SE) met with a range of their volunteers: Eyes On Hands On, speakers, tour guides and researchers at Greatness Park Cemetery in Sevenoaks in Kent. 

There they were given a wonderful tour of the site by local historian Matt Ball, who has researched and written extensively on the casualties of the First World War in the area. 

Image: Local historian and guest Matt Ball. Thank you for joining us, Matt! (Photo courtesy of Sarah Nathaniel)

Matt talked about the Commonwealth War Graves casualties in the cemetery but also broadened this out to paint a vivid picture of the effects of the war on the local community including a local conscientious objector and several additional memorials to those we commemorate overseas, before finishing up at the Commonwealth War Graves plot that commemorates those from both wars.

Jennifer was also able to use the tour to give advice on certain types of headstones and private memorials that were relevant for the EOHO volunteers.

Tea and cake followed, and this gave the chance for the volunteers to get to know each other, swap tips and tricks and ask questions. Jennifer and Sarah were able to give a big thank you for all their hard work to the volunteers gathered.

Sarah said: ‘These meet-ups are always a really lovely afternoon. It gives us all the chance to meet in person, when we so often only communicate via email or Zoom. Volunteers are able to talk to each other about what they do and ask us questions. We all have our own areas of interest around the work of Commonwealth War Graves and it’s always great to hear what everyone is up to and expand our own knowledge.’

One volunteer attending had this to say afterwards: ‘Thank you for arranging the latest "get together" in Sevenoaks yesterday. I found Matthew’s tour to be very interesting, particularly because he drew our attention also to some of the individuals who were not covered by the Commonwealth War Graves but who nevertheless were impacted by the two World Wars. The coffee and cake afterwards were also much appreciated as was the opportunity of some informal conversation with those present. A great afternoon and well worth the journey.’