Local MP Caroline Dinenage is encouraging Gosport constituents to take part in the Living Memory Project.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has launched The Living Memory project to mark the 141 days of the Somme Centenary here in the UK as well as France by enabling community groups to discover war graves in their local area and remembering the "forgotten front" - the 300,000 war graves and commemorations right here in the UK. They are offering funding and creative resources to community groups to support local remembrance activities which raise awareness of war graves here in the UK.
Gosport Constituency has the 3rd highest number of war graves in the UK, with over 1,600 First and Second World War graves. These are located throughout Gosport at Haslar Royal Navy Cemetery, Alverstoke Churchyard, Ann's Hill Cemetery, St Mary Rowner Churchyard, Lee-on-Solent Memorial and Holy Rood Churchyard. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has 200 large sites across the UK, almost all in big city cemeteries and linked to the hospitals: the majority of these men either died of their wounds in hospital or (in 1918-19) died in the influenza epidemic. War graves in the UK are located in over 12,000 locations. They must not be forgotten.
Caroline said:
"The Living Memory Project is a great scheme from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It is so important that we remember the huge sacrifices that these brave people made to keep us safe 100 years ago.
Gosport's large number of war graves is even more reason for the local community to get involved and become a Commonwealth War Graves Champion."
For more information about how you can take part please visit http://www.cwgc.org/about-us/cwgc-projects/living-memory.aspx.
