Should i complain about this grave or just shut up

found this grave in workington(harrington road) cemetery all coloured in personally i don't like it but that is my opinion, the only thing i noticed was that it had artificial flowers on the grave it was a bit unkept so there maybe family out there somewhere who might have thought it wa nice to do that, what does anybody think i should do shut up or say something about it, don't worry guys you can be as blunt as you want as i just thought i would ask
regards Michael

 

Ok Owen will do i will also have a chat with my uncle who is the manager of Allerdale (Workingtons local council) cemetery department also and get it sorted from that end aswell cheers

 

Michael, the CWGC will inspect the graves at least once every 3 years, although in the UK this is done a lot of the time under contract.

No harm in pointing it out to them.

 

hello Michael

Re the plastic flowers,I have seen these placed on the graves on a number of occasions within the UK.
This is due either to relatives trying to keep a fresh floral presence (albeit plastic) which will last a number of years due to the fact that they cannot get to the grave on a regular basis plus showing the world that people are still around who care.
Re the highlighting of the headstone I have seen this and again this is due to the relatives showing the casualty is still remembered.
I would suggest that when the CWGC audit the cemetery they will take the appropriate plan of action.
The grass is cut during the growing season,so looks like it is due now.

regards
Clive

 

have had a chat with my uncle and unfortunately he can't do anything about it as the graveyard is run by the church which it is associated with not the council so have e-mailed CWGC with a request for them to have a look and see what they think should be done with it
regards Michael

 

In my opinion you have done the right thing, under the CWGC rules the grave can be " dressed " in a tasteful manner however the stone cannot be adorned or altered in any way.

I can understand why the family may have done this, but I have to admit I disagree with it.

 

Hi,

You may want to read Julian Barnes' short story Evermore before deciding whether it is really worth pursuing this any further.

Best, Alan

 

Alan - think I've got a copy of your booking waiting to be read!

I think if the painting was a little better and correct colours etc it would look fine, looks a tad shabby - but it was done by someone who cares, so who am I to complain if they feel it looks right.

I took some photos of Polish war graves a couple of years back, chatting to the groundsman he reckons they hadnt had a single visitor or flower in his time, maybe 30 years.

Pete

 

What is the problem with the plastic flowers? Surely you don't pin a real poppy on your lapel, I guess.

 

I agree, it really is an awful piece of work!

 

Bradlad, I didn't realise there were CWGC 'rules' in place per se but I suppose there have to be really. I also can understand why some might think such embelishments are a mark of respect, even perhaps an act of remembrance, but I for one don't think it is appropriate. Somehow seems to detract from the simple dignity of the headstone. I would like to think CWGC would do something about it if notified, which I feel is the correct thing to do.

 

What is the problem with the plastic flowers? Surely you don't pin a real poppy on your lapel, I guess.

the flowers are not a problem it was just the colouring in of the grave that was my concern

 

the flowers are not a problem it was just the colouring in of the grave that was my concern

I agree but I guess it is a matter of taste and I'm reluctant to question the family (assumed) who obviously have paid some attention to the memory of this young man. On balance, better bad taste than a neglected headstone IMHO.

 

I agree but I guess it is a matter of taste and I'm reluctant to question the family (assumed) who obviously have paid some attention to the memory of this young man. On balance, better bad taste than a neglected headstone IMHO.

I agree with you here.

 

I agree but I guess it is a matter of taste and I'm reluctant to question the family (assumed) who obviously have paid some attention to the memory of this young man. On balance, better bad taste than a neglected headstone IMHO.

I tend to agree as well - so many graves are not taken care of, and at least this chap is being remembered.

 

I recieved an e-mail from the CWGC UK AREA OFFICE today regarding the grave stone and they are going to send a picture of it to the regional supervisor responsible for the war graves in Cumbria to arrange for the necassary action to be taken ,after reading all of your replys to my question i was a bit torn as what to do and it was a hard decision to make should i or shouldn't i so in my oppinion i thought i would tell them so when i e-mailed them i gave them the pros and the cons of what i had taken on board of what you all said,1 at least someone out there is looking after the chap and he is not left alone but then 2 should it have been coloured in the way that it was .I no i might upset some of you for maybe going through with this and some will think i did the right thing so before i get my self into trouble i apologise and i think next time i will keep my mouth shut as i am really starting to feel guilty about doing this SORRY

 

Name:FIELD, ARTHUR
Initials:A
Nationality:United Kingdom
Rank:Aircraftman 1st Class
Regiment/Service:Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Age:21
Date of Death:10/08/1944
Service No:1479062
Additional information:Son of Wilfred Albert and Lois Constance Field, of Harrington.
Casualty Type:Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference:Grave M.2.
Cemetery:HARRINGTON (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD EXTENSION