The Macclesfield War Graves Project is underway as part of this year’s events commemorating the outbreak of World War One.
Founding member, Trevor Druce, was left feeling disappointed when, after visiting Commonwealth War Graves in France and Belgium, he returned and saw the poor condition of some of the graves of the servicemen buried in Macclesfield Cemetery, and decided to address the situation.
After getting in touch with local primary schools, Trevor devised an ongoing programme where local school children “adopt” the war graves. After learning about the people buried there, the children will place a cross of remembrance to commemorate the date of their death, and also lay a wreath each Armistice Day.
After contacting local stonemasons, Whitby’s, who will be undertaking the necessary repair work, Trevor hopes to raise the £13,000 in funds needed to repair the graves in the worst condition. Work on some of the graves is due to start by the end of July in preparation for the Armistice Day ceremony to be held in the cemetery, but much more funding is needed.
“It was quite distressing to see the terrible condition of some of these graves” said Trevor, “These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country, and now many of them lie in graves with headstones broken into pieces and with no surviving family to care for them. I feel that in this year especially, we should be honouring our war dead and I wanted to do what I could to show that the sacrifice of the fallen will not be forgotten”
A member of the project, Julia Jones, was delighted, as after approaching Whitby’s and explaining the situation, they generously donated a plaque to be commissioned which will be made of black granite with gold lettering, featuring the names of 83 service men and women from both world wars.
“As these graves are scattered throughout the cemetery, we felt it was only fitting for their names to be remembered on one central memorial” said Julia “And after recent discussions with Cllr David Marren, we are hopeful this will be placed in front of the Cross of Sacrifice, in the cemetery”.
Julia went on to say “The residents of Macclesfield have been very supportive and we are hoping that with their continued support, we can restore all the graves to their former glory and so create a fitting epitaph for our glorious war dead. We believe now is the time to remember them”
Macclesfield War Graves Project has the backing of local MP David Rutley, The Macclesfield branch of the Royal British Legion, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
David Rutley said, “Trevor and his team are doing some great work restoring the war graves in Macclesfield Cemetery. With the centenary of the start of the First World War approaching it is only right that we properly honour those who gave their lives for Macclesfield, and for the nation. The Macclesfield War Graves Project has my full backing and I look forward to visiting the Cemetery on Armistice Day to see the restored graves.”