The 208 graves of Irish servicemen and women who were part of the Commonwealth forces.
On Armistice Day (11th November 2009), Glasnevin Trust and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) began a special project of marking the 208 graves in Glasnevin Cemetery of Irish servicemen and women who were part of the Commonwealth forces in World War One and World War Two.
To date 85 new headstones have been erected, for the first time, at the graves of Irish servicemen and women. 39 of these have been erected since last year’s commemoration and their burial and military records are today revealed for the first time. Glasnevin Trust is appealing to all families of the 208 servicemen and women to attend the remembrance ceremonies at Glasnevin Cemetery on Friday 11th November next, Armistice Day.
In addition, the graves and burial details of a further 104 servicemen and women have also been identified and Glasnevin Trust are launching an appeal to invite their family members to get in touch with the Trust and to attend this year’s commemoration together with all families of the Irish men and women who served in the Commonwealth forces in the two world wars.
Unlike the 43 servicemen and women honoured with gravestones last year, these 104 graves were purchased by the families of the deceased servicemen and women at the time of their burial. The CWGC, whose mission is to formally commemorate the graves of all deceased servicemen and women, is seeking the approval of these families to commemorate the graves in honour of their deceased relatives’ roles in the two world wars.
Ecumenical and military ceremonies will take place at the O’Connell Tower, Glasnevin Cemetery at 3pm on Friday 11th November. The centre piece of this year’s commemoration will be the rededication of two war memorials which have been moved from the Prospect Gate at the back of the cemetery to a position close to the cemetery’s main entrance on the Finglas Road.
The two memorials record the names of all 208 men and women who died and are buried in Glasnevin as a result of either WW1 or WW2. Though 208 are buried, the memorials record 217 names for two main reasons. Some signed up while still under age and some used an alias to protect their true identity as, at the time, not all families or elements of Irish society approved of serving in the Commonwealth forces.
To date 85 new headstones have been erected, for the first time, at the graves of Irish servicemen and women. 39 of these have been erected since last year’s commemoration and their burial and military records are today revealed for the first time. Glasnevin Trust is appealing to all families of the 208 servicemen and women to attend the remembrance ceremonies at Glasnevin Cemetery on Friday 11th November next, Armistice Day.
In addition, the graves and burial details of a further 104 servicemen and women have also been identified and Glasnevin Trust are launching an appeal to invite their family members to get in touch with the Trust and to attend this year’s commemoration together with all families of the Irish men and women who served in the Commonwealth forces in the two world wars.
Unlike the 43 servicemen and women honoured with gravestones last year, these 104 graves were purchased by the families of the deceased servicemen and women at the time of their burial. The CWGC, whose mission is to formally commemorate the graves of all deceased servicemen and women, is seeking the approval of these families to commemorate the graves in honour of their deceased relatives’ roles in the two world wars.
Ecumenical and military ceremonies will take place at the O’Connell Tower, Glasnevin Cemetery at 3pm on Friday 11th November. The centre piece of this year’s commemoration will be the rededication of two war memorials which have been moved from the Prospect Gate at the back of the cemetery to a position close to the cemetery’s main entrance on the Finglas Road.
The two memorials record the names of all 208 men and women who died and are buried in Glasnevin as a result of either WW1 or WW2. Though 208 are buried, the memorials record 217 names for two main reasons. Some signed up while still under age and some used an alias to protect their true identity as, at the time, not all families or elements of Irish society approved of serving in the Commonwealth forces.
More info on following links (data connection required)