May 15, 2023 - 1491 views
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) will be bringing War Graves Week to Llandudno and offering free tours at the Great Orme’s Head Cemetery between May 21 and May 28.
War Graves Week is an initiative aimed at encouraging people from the local community to come together and discover the World War heritage on their doorstep – learning about the stories of those commemorated by the CWGC in Llandudno and the skills, dedication, and expertise of those CWGC staff and volunteers who work to keep their memory alive.
The free guided tours will take place on Sunday 21st and Tuesday 23rd May at 3pm and 6pm respectively at the Great Orme’s Head Cemetery and will give people in Llandudno the chance to discover the remarkable stories of the men and women of the Commonwealth forces that died in the First and Second World Wars who are buried in their community.
More than 30 casualties from World War One and World War Two are buried on the Great Orme. Many of the First World War casualties died at local convalescent homes of injuries sustained in the fighting. Private Albert Poole from the South Lancashire Regiment was one such man. He was awarded the Military Medal for repeatedly carrying messages between trenches under intense German artillery fire. Many of the Second World War graves commemorate local airmen who died in training accidents.
The tours will be led by local resident, Adrian Hughes, who is a volunteer for the CWGC.
Director General of the CWGC, Claire Horton, said: “Behind every name on a war grave or memorial in Llandudno is a human story waiting to be discovered and War Graves Week is the perfect opportunity to do just that.
“As world leaders in commemoration, our mission is to ensure those who died in service, or as a result of conflict, are commemorated so that they, and the human cost of war, are remembered forever.”
The CWGC is encouraging the people of Llandudno to seek out the stories in their local area and book onto a free tour this War Graves Week. To book a tour, visit www.cwgc.org/wargravesweek.
