CROSSES IN WAR CEMETERIES

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 148, 23 June 1923, Page 5

CROSSES IN WAR CEMETERIES

CHURCH ARMY'S WORK. DISPATCH TO NEXT OF KIN". ' (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON 7 , May 9. There are still, we believe, some of those whose dead are lying in French and Belgian cemeteries—there are about 2000 of those sad enclaves, last restingplace of our gallant mcn —unaware of the fact that they may obtain possession of the first temporary wooden crosses set up to mark the graves. The work of putting the permanent memorials has gone on apace, and the question of the disposal of the temporary crosses has led the Church Army to undertake the sacred task of sending these wooden crosses to the kin of the soldier whose grave it has marked. There is no doubt the possession of these crosses, with the little metal tab on which the name and regiment of the soldier is stamped, appeals strongly. The offer of the Imperial War Graves Commission to hand over the crosses has now been modified, inasmuch as they can only be delivered personally at the cemetery. It is impossible for many people to make the special journey themselves. The Church Army has, therefore, arranged to accept tfie crosses on behalf of those who may apply to them and may be able to'obtain the necessary written authority for the delivery of th<> cross. It is interesting to know the way in which the crosses which are not claimed are dealt with. The metal inscriptions are first removed and buried, and the crosses are then burned in a pile and I the ashes scattered over the cemetery. Those who have a desire to have the original wooden crosses from one of the graves in France or Belgium should first apply to the Imperial War Graves Commission, S2, Baker ■Street, London, W.I, giving full particulars of the name, rank and number of the fallen soldier, his regiment, battalion, and cemetery, and asking for an authority to allow the Church Army to receive the cross on their behalf. The Church Army has made special arrangements for periodical visits for the special purpose of collecting these crosses from the various cemeteries, and at the same time taking photographs of the grave before removal of the cross, or of the stone headstone, if fixed. They do not make any charge for obtaining the crosses in most cases, unless it be the nominal costs of carriage when they cannot be called for at Church Army headquarters. For photographs a small charge is made for each negative, with two prints.