Maria visited the War Graves as part of a national initiative by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the All-Party Parliamentary War Heritage Group and the “In From the Cold Project” which maps over 300,000 Commonwealth war dead across the country. The aim of the initiative is to give people a greater understanding of the scale and magnitude of the Great War and its impact on today’s society. Maria was accompanied on her visit by the Commission’s UK Director, Deirdre Mills.
Worting Cemetery has 54 war graves and South View has 20. Both Cemeteries commemorate servicemen who gave their lives in both World Wars, including Captain John Aiden Liddell from Sherfield, who was awarded the Victory Cross for his bravery in the Royal Flying Corps in 1915.
Maria said: “It is very moving to visit these Commonwealth War Graves and commemorate the sacrifice that so many people made, fighting for their country. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission does a fantastic job in ensuring that the war graves here, and around the world, are beautifully and respectfully maintained.
“As we approach the centenary of the start of the First World War, it is an important time to reflect and commemorate. It is also vital that we ensure that our young people learn about the First World War and understand its legacy. Visiting the graves of the fallen is a simple but very important way to commemorate the outbreak of the war, and I would urge Basingstoke residents and schools to visit these local war graves.”
Deirdre Mills, UK Director of the CWGC, said: ““The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was delighted to have this opportunity to show Maria the war graves that we maintain in and around Basingstoke. Although our work overseas is well known, there is less awareness of the 300,000 commemorations in the UK. Of particular note are the 170,000 Commonwealth headstones that can be found in over 13,000 UK locations.
“With the support of MPs like Maria, the Commission is reaching out to local communities and, in particular to younger generations, to help them understand the significance of these graves and the sacrifice that has been made. In so doing, we hope that visiting local graves will form part of a wider educational process and will reinforce the continuing importance of remembrance.”