War memorials and graves

The United Kingdom National Inventory of War Memorials is working to catalogue all War Memorials in the UK and has information about many of those in Wiltshire. Wiltshire Council encourages owners of War Memorials and members of the public to check the inventory and submit information to complete the record.

Maintenance of War Memorials is the responsibility of their owners. Expert advice and some grants are available from the War Memorials Trust.  

Those researching local, family or military history may find help from:

• Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre
• Wiltshire Family History Society
• Imperial War Museums

Information about Remembrance Sunday events (2nd Sunday in November) may be obtained from a local branch of Royal British Legion, local parish church or press.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemorates the 1,700,000 men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the two world wars. Many cemeteries and churchyards in the United Kingdom, including those run by Wiltshire Council, contain war graves.

The War Graves Photographic Project makes available photographs of war graves and memorials from all over the world including the United Kingdom.

The Ministry of Defence offers military funerals for personnel who die in service. Military headstones are similar not identical in style to war graves.

Family graves of service personnel vary in style. Occasionally a family grave may be found to which a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone has later been added.