Private Percy Tolliday of the 11th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment, has been laid to rest on the Somme alongside two unknown comrades, more than a century after their deaths in the First World War. The men were recovered by our colleagues from our specialist Recovery Unit. Dr Daniel Seaton, CWGC Commemorations Case Officer said: “The three casualties now laid to rest were recovered by our specialist Recovery Unit, not far away from where today’s ceremony has taken place. I am delighted that, following research conducted by ourselves and the JCCC, Private Tolliday has been identified, and remain hopeful that it may also be possible to identify the two Unknown Soldiers in the future. All three are now remembered with honour in the Commission’s Warlencourt British Cemetery” Image: Crown Copyright

Private George McIntosh, of 8th Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment was laid to rest this week alongside one of his comrades at a burial service organised by MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC). The service took place at our Loos British Cemetery Extension. David Royle, CWGC Recoveries and Ceremonies Manager said: “Nearly 110 years after they fell in action, and less than a mile from where they were recovered, it is a privilege to lay these two Bedfordshire Regiment soldiers to rest with the care and dignity they deserve. We are proud to have worked alongside the JCCC to restore Private George McIntosh’s name, and although the identity of the second soldier remains known only unto God, he is no longer lost or forgotten. Both men now rest among their comrades ensuring future generations can pay their respects and remember their stories in perpetuity.” Discover more on our website🔗 Image: Crown Copyright

In 2021, workmen digging a rainwater cistern in Hazeweidestraat, St Juliaan, Belgium spotted human remains in their trench. A few days later an archaeological excavation was undertaken by the Flanders Heritage Agency. Artefacts recovered alongside the remains showed them to be those of a soldier who had served in the 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. The Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), launched an investigation to name him. Research identified twenty men from the regiment missing in the area, all of whom died in the Spring of 1915. Following genealogical investigation, living descendants of the missing men were traced one by one until eventually DNA testing proved that the remains were those of Lance Corporal Claude Stanley Dell. He was laid to rest last week at Poelcapelle British Cemetery in Belgium. 🔗Discover more on our website 📷Eric Compernolle

In the run-up to Remembrance, join our Commemorations team for an online CWG Chat on 4th November as they discuss why our headstones look the way they do. They will delve into the “Headstone Directives”, which refers to a large document that holds years of decisions surrounding headstone policy. It serves as a reference point whenever headstone-related work needs to be completed. After their talk, there will be a Q&A session. Members of the Foundation can register for free. They also get access to all our previous CWG Chats.

George Williams served with extraordinary bravery across Africa during the First World War, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal twice. Read his remarkable story, and learn about an often overlooked campaign, at the link below. Their service, our history.

A rededication service for Sergeant Norman Harold McLennan, The Royal Canadian Regiment was held last week at Courcelette British Cemetery in France. The service was conducted by the Royal Canadian Regiment exactly 110 years after his death during the Battle of Ancre Heights. After multiple external researchers submitted evidence followed by extensive historical research, a grave marked as "A Serjeant of the Great War Royal Canadian Regt." at Courcelette British Cemetery was confirmed by the Canadian Directorate of History and Heritage as that of Sergeant Norman Harold McLennan. 🔗Read more about this on our website.

How much do you know about the British West Indies Regiment? This month, we mark the contribution of the 15,000 Caribbean men who crossed the globe to serve with the Commonwealth forces. Active in most major theatres of the First World War, they served as infantry, pioneers and builders, making a vital contribution to the war effort despite often facing discrimination and unequal treatment. Hundreds died in service, and today we care for their graves and memorials around the world, ensuring their stories will never be forgotten. Their service, our history. Learn more at the link below.

📸We love seeing the photographs you take when visiting our cemeteries and memorials. Whether preserving memories of your visit, recording the names of those commemorated, supporting family research, or helping others experience these places from afar, photographs play an important role. 🔗That's why we've published a guide on our website, offering advice on photographing our sites respectfully and sharing your images responsibly.

Do you know about our charity, the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation? Founded in 2017, the Foundation aims to educate the public, especially younger audiences, about the World Wars and inform them about the work of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It also shares the stories of those we commemorate, passing on the torch of responsibility and memory to younger generations, so their experiences are never forgotten. 🔗Discover everything the Foundation does in our latest blog, link below!

The sacrifice of Norwegian sailors who served far from home during the Second World War was honoured at Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff, last week, with the unveiling of a new screen wall commemorating by name eleven Norwegian service personnel. The ceremony marked the culmination of a collaborative project with the Norwegian War Graves Service (NWGS) to ensure these servicemen are formally and permanently commemorated. 🔗More on our website.