On my recon to submit a WW1 sign, I noticed a sign for a Commonwealth War Memorial. I know graves are generally a no go, and I completely understand why. However, due to WW1 War graves existing in a local church, what’s the view?
The website that talks about the graves is below.
I thought I would ask before considering nominating them.
A friend of mine tried to submit something similar in his local area, and it was rejected by both reviewers and on appeal, despite linking to a section of the CWGC website that explains that they wish to actively encourage people to explore these sites. For reference, the CWGC even has augmented reality tours for some of the Commonwealth War Graves sites.
So you might be able to argue that they are a great place to explore, but I would say you should be prepared for rejection.
I expect them to be rejected, but because of the significance of these graves, I really don’t know if they are eligible or not.
It would seem like you would need to write up something about the individual, for the description, while also inviting visitors to do their own research.
The supplemental info could include the mission of the CWGC with links.
Somehow, you would need to persuade everyone that your Wayspot was meaningful and respectfully met exploration requirements and did not violate the sensitive locations and cemeteries clause of the Rejection Criteria.
I would call this a Sisyphean task!
To be honest, I wouldn’t put in the effort if it’s going to be a hard no.
The sign that says the cemetery includes Commonwealth War Graves is usually near the entrance, I’ve seen a few submitted but I lean towards the sign being not distinct.
Where the graves are spread out over the cemetery then it really comes down to establishing if the individual buried there is notable. If the person had an award for gallantry (even if awarded after death) then it should be on the stone, e.g. VC, DFC, DSC - if they have such awards then you can usually find out what they were for and add them to a submission.
I won’t be submitting the sign itself… at the moment just trying to establish as to whether the graves themselves are. I am not super comfortable about subbing graves, but if the notable ones are eligible, I may go back and sub them.
I’m not super comfortable with them either, but this part of the criteria does suggest that individual gravestones can be eligible.
Which will indicate that war graves of ordinary soldiers that have been identified are most likely not eligible… even if they have been awarded.
I’d agree with that.
Anyways, those sites COULD have good wayspots on them anyways.
The Graves of the soldiers should not be wayspots, but there could also be chapels, memorial statues or plaques and so on on there, wich could be good wayspots.
We in germany would not acept a cemetery as a wayspot, but we regularly accept memorial monuments or chapels on cemeteries. I think this is a way better approach than submitting the whole war cemetery or gravestones on it.
In the UK cemetaries are pretty much a hard no. Specific memorials dedicated to a group of Soldiers, whether it be a plaque on a building or freestanding object are generally accepted. Notable tombstones I have seen in the past being accepted (which may not be accepted by current standards). I just wanted to make sure I don’t confuse what the guidelines allow.
