Help tell story of First World War casualties

An appeal has been made for people to come forward who could help bring to light the stories of First World War casualties buried in Boston.
Some of the First World War graves in Boston Cemetery.Some of the First World War graves in Boston Cemetery.
Some of the First World War graves in Boston Cemetery.

Author Tim Atkinson, of Boston, has made the call in support of a Commonwealth War Grave Commission (CWGC) project aiming to mark the 100th anniversary of The Battle of Somme this year.

The Living Memory project, as it is known, encourages members of the public to re-connect with the war dead – predominately from the First World War – buried in their own communities.

Tim said: “Boston Cemetery has a very visible mini war cemetery within it, these are all Second World War graves; but few people are aware that there are also 50 First World War graves, with the iconic white CWGC Portland headstones, scattered about the cemetery. I went in search of a few of them and some are quite hard to locate.”

He added: “This year, thousands of visitors will travel to France to visit the graves of those that lie in the many Somme war cemeteries, but who will visit the graves of those who lie in local cemeteries up and down England?

“The CWGC is keen that these graves aren’t forgotten and is enlisting the help of local communities in visiting the graves, finding out a little more about the fallen and – maybe – uncovering the story of a soldier who fought on the Somme, was invalided home, and subsequently died and was buried in Boston.”

Tim, a former Boston Grammar School teacher, said findings will be shared with the CWGC, but says these are ‘less important than simply getting people involved – and not forgetting those First World War veterans buried in local UK cemeteries’.

Anyone willing to help with the research or any relatives of the First World War soldiers buried in Boston with information to share is asked to contact Tim on [email protected]

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