Visit checks on state of graves

Press, 13 April 1989, Page 6

Visit checks on state of graves

By DAVE WILSON The refurbished tombstone in the Linwood cemetery records that Private Bernard Granger, a casualty of World War I, answered his country’s call. Seventy-two years later, his country is ensuring that its debt to Private Granger is being seen to be honoured. The refurbishing of his and about 50 other designated war graves in the cemetery is being done to a standard set by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Yesterday Sir Arthur Hockaday, the director-general of the commission, visited the grave and others in Christchurch of service people who died in the two world wars. Sir Arthur’s five-day visit to New Zealand is part of a world tour for an organisation that cares for the graves and memorials to 1.7 million men and

women. “All of the war graves are maintained to a very high standard because we regard it as discharging a debt the Commonwealth countries owe to those who have died in their country’s service,” he said. Internationally the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, established in 1917, maintains more than 23,000 burial places in 140 countries. In New Zealand the Government, through the Internal Affairs Department acts as the commission’s agent. The graves of service people who died in training or from war wounds are under the department’s care. A programme of war-grave restoration in Christchurch has been accorded priority and all 3476 war graves in New Zealand are expected to be raised to the standard by the

end of the year. Sir Arthur said each Commonwealth Government contributed to the commission’s annual budget of about $55 million. New Zealand contributes about 2 per cent of the budget. “Although we care for the graves of casualties in the two world wars, there is increasing interest in the war gravesjrom younger people. “Many of them want to see where grandfathers and other relatives are buried.” He said the War Graves Commission’s maintenance task would continue in perpetuity. “The graves will be tended forever, that is part of the countries’ repaying a debt of honour to these people.” Under the commission’s policy, eligibility for care under the war grave# scheme extends two years hpvnrM the official end of the

world wars. “The cut-off date for the First World War is August 1921 and for the Second World War December 1947. This is because it allows extra time for those who might have suffered war wounds and later died from them.” The commission did not differentiate between people killed in action or those who died in their homelands. “Anyone who was in the forces and who died during the period of hostilities is eligible to be cared for under the War Graves Commission.” Globally, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemorates 1.7 million people, of whom 1.4 million are in graves. Sir Arthur said about 250,000 of the graves were of unidentified war casualties, while for those with no last resting place their names were marked on memorials.