This month’s newsletter from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Welcome to the CWGC’s latest newsletter

War Graves Week • Memorial For South African Servicemen World War One • Celebrating Malta’s George Cross • The Fallen Artists Of World War Two

WAR GRAVES WEEK LAUNCHES THIS WEEK!

Our second annual War Graves Week is starting on 21st May and there is lots to see and do! This year we are exploring the stories of the everyday men and women just like you, who through their actions and work truly did the extraordinary.

Visit our new website feature which launched this week, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times which you can find here, and discover how your skills might have been put to use during the World Wars.

You can also learn the stories of ordinary men and women from five key industries who made their mark on history – and find out who you could have been. Head over and meet some of the people we commemorate – then share your story on social media using #ExtraordinaryTimes.

We are also running a fantastic programme of special talks, tours and events taking place across the UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands and Malta throughout the week.

Many events are taking place at CWGC cemeteries and monuments and we will also be popping up at locations across the UK, so come and say hello. Our events list is constantly updated, so please check in regularly to see what events are happening near you here.

Whatever you’re doing during War Graves Week, remember to share your visits and experiences with us on social media – don’t forget to use the hashtag #ExtraordinaryTimes to add your voice and show your support.

CWGC BUILDING MEMORIAL FOR SOUTH AFRICAN SERVICEMEN NOT FORMERLY RECORDED DURING WORLD WAR ONE

A new memorial honouring black South Africans who gave their lives in the First World War has been commissioned by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission… Read more.

The site for the new monument in the Cape Town Company’s Garden.

CELEBRATING MALTA’S GEORGE CROSS ON THE BRITISH FORCES BROADCASTING SERVICE

As part of the celebrations of the 80^th anniversary of Malta receiving the George Cross, Elaine Zerafa, who provides guided tours of our Imtarfa Military Cemetery, has been speaking to the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) about Malta’s world war history… Read more.

A LEGACY LEFT IN THEIR ART, THE FALLEN ARTISTS OF WORLD WAR TWO

Two months after the Second World War began, the young Director of the National Gallery, Sir Kenneth Clark, chaired the first meeting of the War Artists Advisory Committee (WAAC). He had proposed the idea and the government had finally approved it. On a dark November afternoon in 1939 they met… Read more.