From :: CWGC :: Next of Kin Sought by Commission The Commonwealth War Graves Commission would like to make contact with the next of kin of the following casualties: Birmingham (Witton) Cemetery Gunner William Florey, 1678560, Royal Artillery, Died 13 September 1946 Private C J Pratt, 21689, Coldstream Guards, Died 9 September 1917 Birmingham (Brandwood End) Cemetery Signalman John Charles Baker, 40254, Died 14 February 1940 Private Frederick Arthur Woodcock, 286, Died 3 February 1918 If you are related to any of these men, or can put us in touch with someone who is please contact the Commission's United Kingdom Office on 01926 330137. The Commission does not usually put requests for contact on our website. This is an exceptional case regarding the commemoration of the above men.
I've stuck the thread for the moment to keep it a little more visible, seems the least we can do considering how much people use the CWGC. I can't Google up any more on the names, anybody know what's the story? Cheers, Adam.
I can't Google up any more on the names, anybody know what's the story?. When the CWGC need to contact relatives with some urgency regarding already commemorated casualties, it's usually something to do with the closure of a cemetery and/or the need to move headstones. Dave
Cheers chaps, looks like both Cemeteries have active 'friends' groups with an interest in the wargraves there: Friends of Brandwood End Cemetery : We DID Remember Them Friends of Witton Cemetery Having spent most of Saturday looking for particular CWGC graves I'd be intrigued if anyone hears any more news. It's interesting just how many can be scattered around the average municipal burial ground. Loughborough Cemetery was quite surprising as amongst all the 'normal' graves there was a largish plot put aside for CWGC stones, including a fair few Italians and Germans (presumably a trace of the POW cage there).
I contacted a relative of Gunner William Florey via Genes Reunited sometime ago about this. She contacted the CWGC who got back onto her saying it they are looking for next of kin 'for permission to improve the state of commemoration currently being offered by the existing memorials.' John
It sounds like they may be looking to renew the headstones. I believe inspectors keep a check on headstones for repairing and replacing Pete
