Should i complain about this grave or just shut up

I think you are doing the right thing, no need to feel bad.
I agree with Owen... It appears to have been done with the right intent, if somewhat misguided. Don't feel guilty matey, a cwgc headstone is a symbol that stands out in every cemetery the world over, and requires nor begs any alteration whatsoever. There are more appropriate ways for loved ones to show their respect, like a family headstone on the same plot for instance. IMHO you did the right thing.

 

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 concur

 

Hi,

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

Best, Alan


Just read it great stuff!

 

It looks wrong agreed, but it's a sensitive area and would have been best left alone. You are a stranger going into someone's private life and quite probably are going to cause upset.

Not worth bothering about even though it doesn't look good. But probably done with the best intentions.

 

Michael,
You should not feel bad about this. You only reported it. I probably would have done the same. CWGC will have a policy about this and it is their responsibility to deal with. It is their property. So don't feel guilty about anything. I know the coloring was done with good intent, but who are we to change a design that was carefully thought out 90 years ago to produce a design to commemorate the dead that is pleasing to the eye.

geoff

 

Michael


you did the right thing Mate so do not worry.

 

So we now have the graveyard Police!

For all you know The Commonwealth Graves Commission may already know about it and have chosen to show a blind eye.

To those who say this chap is doing the right thing I say how would you like it if someone totally unconnected started to stick their nose into your private business. How would you like it if someone siad 'hey, your mum or dads grave isn't in order you know, I'm going to see that it's put right. Be honest, you wouldn't like it.

Yes it looks wrong but for all we know there may be a good reason for it. I honestly don't think it's anyones business to start going around insepcting graves.

So in answer to the question posed at the start of this thread you should have done the latter. (IMO).

 

Hello Stan

A number a members on WW2talk do report anomalies to the CWGC.
Broken headstones /worn headstones/private memorials in a poor state of repair/unkempt areas/incorrect information.

This is all done with the best intentions to ensure the casualties are remembered.I speak from experience, I have reported many issues to the CWGC who have acted and are acting on the information supplied.All reports are done with respect and honour for the casualty from all members of the Forum.



Michaels intentions were done in an honourable manner.

a few inks below give the number of issues highlighted to the CWGC.
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-cemeteries-war-memorial-research/30479-cwgc-headstone-memorial-error-reports-results.html
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/war-grave-photographs/28265-badly-worn-headstone.html

regards
Clive

 

Obviously there is still some one that cares about this person even if they are doing it the wrong way. Unless you can trace the person and ask them not to paint the gravestone, then there is not much point in changing it until it appears that the person is no longer doing it. Now as far as plastic flowers go some of them can look very good, but at least some one cares enough to leave them there after all this time

 

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
.

 

So we now have the graveyard Police!

For all you know The Commonwealth Graves Commission may already know about it and have chosen to show a blind eye.

To those who say this chap is doing the right thing I say how would you like it if someone totally unconnected started to stick their nose into your private business. How would you like it if someone siad 'hey, your mum or dads grave isn't in order you know, I'm going to see that it's put right. Be honest, you wouldn't like it.

Yes it looks wrong but for all we know there may be a good reason for it. I honestly don't think it's anyones business to start going around insepcting graves.

So in answer to the question posed at the start of this thread you should have done the latter. (IMO).

Stan... I can see your a point. But, speaking for myself (Michael can speak for himself) as someone who has spent more than a few days off work scouring the local cemeteries at the behest of 'talk' members to gather information and photographs of cwgc headstones for remembrance and recognition purposes. My point is not the intention of whoever painted the headstone but more a case of what that headstone represents.

eg: I sometimes take my two young children with me on these cemetery 'quests'... And, after explaining to them the reasons behind Daddies "odd outings" my son and daughter not only recognise, but run to any and all cwgc headstones, shouting out the details of the particular headstones. WWI, WWII and even a couple from the 2nd Boer War.

Point being... If 9 and 10 year old children can recognise and appreciate the significance of the cwgc headstone (by shape and colour alone) what's the need for a paint job? My own Great Grandad fought in the 2nd Boer and First World Wars, surviving both and living to a ripe old age. He has an ordinary family headstone, lost amid the thousands of others in the same cemetery. It took me three hours to find his grave the first time I visited. My kids found at least thirty cwgc headstones before we found his.

"They are but a few amid many. Yet from near or far, they stand proud without the need to shout out loud!"

 

I do agree with Michael inasmuch that he took the time to report this to the CWGC to see what their view is on the matter.

I can see the point of some that it is better they are remembered than not however there are other ways to do this without graffiti and graffiti is what it is.

The headstones or memorials do not belong to relatives or friends to do with what they will.

If this is allowed to occur where will it end - Smilies?


These are the principles in the charter of the CWGC.



The Commission's principles

Each of the dead should be commemorated by name on the headstone or memorial

Headstones and memorials should be permanent

Headstones should be uniform

There should be no distinction made on account of military or civil rank, race or creed

 

Clickety-Click

 

The headstone clearly looks wrong and out of place with this 'paint job.' But is it really yours or mine business to go poking our noses in. Not really IMO.

The CWGC representatives will discover it themselves in time (if they havn't already done so) and deal with it.

This is not a broken or damaged headstone, nor malicious graffitied. By all means have a moan about it but to go out of ones way to make a formal report is a bit OTT and even odd.

 

As I said earlier: 'Graveyard Police.'

 

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 would tend to agree with that too.

I do agree with Michael inasmuch that he took the time to report this to the CWGC to see what their view is on the matter.

I can see the point of some that it is better they are remembered than not however there are other ways to do this without graffiti and graffiti is what it is.

The headstones or memorials do not belong to relatives or friends to do with what they will.

If this is allowed to occur where will it end - Smilies?

These are the principles in the charter of the CWGC.


Is it my poor eyesight or is the headstone very faded & worn? I cant see the name on it.
Are the headstones replaced or refurbished when the elements have rendered them unreadable?

 

Have not read this thread until this am, I too would wonder who painted the stone and why ?
I was under the impression that the form and uniformity of the CWGC stone was intentional and that the painting however well intentioned detracts from this.

As far as "the graveyard police" goes I think that is a little OTT and the title of the thread is not that of a "Mr Angry" going out of his way to "give them a jolly good telling of ...what".

IMO the paint job does not add anything to the memory of the man but that is just my 2d and in that I too must rank myself as being "odd".

 

...nor malicious graffitied....

How would you know?