Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Who We Are

Established by Royal Charter in 1917, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission pays tribute to the 1,700,000 men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died in the two world wars. It is a non-profit-making organisation that was founded by Sir Fabian Ware.

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

Since its inception, the Commission has constructed 2,500 war cemeteries and plots, erecting headstones over graves and, in instances where the remains are missing, inscribing the names of the dead on permanent memorials. Over one million casualties are now commemorated at military and civil sites in some 150 countries.

But there’s more to the Commission than cenotaphs and cemeteries. In this section you can find out about the history and work of our extraordinary organisation and the vital role we play in remembering the war dead.

You can find out about those who are buried in our cemetery by clicking on the link below....

MONTROSE (SLEEPYHILLOCK) CEMETERY