Commonwealth War Graves
Commission signs historic agreement with Flemish government
The Commonwealth
War Graves Commission today signed a historic Charter of Agreement
with the Flemish Government, which sets out proposals for the two
parties to work more closely together in the run up to the
centennial commemorations of the First World War in Flanders from
2014 - 2018.
These are designed to encourage greater numbers of visitors to
the many war cemeteries and memorials; to provide additional
interpretation for those visitors; and to construct a new
Commonwealth War Graves Commission visitor and headstone engraving
centre in Flanders.
It is intended to build the new centre near the town of
Zonnebeke, which represents a hugely significant development for
the Commission and the people of Flanders, with whom the
Commission has forged a close friendship which spans over 90
years.
Today, as he signed the Agreement, the Commission's
Director General, Alan Pateman-Jones said: "The
Commonwealth War Graves Commission owes a debt of gratitude to the
Flemish and Belgian governments and the people who do so much to
enable us to honour the memory of those who died. Their vision and
efforts have helped make this partnership possible.
The new centre will create a visitor landmark in the heart of the
First World War battlefield region of Flanders. It will provide
the public with a fascinating insight into the work of the
Commission and the importance of this work in remembering the
fallen of two World Wars."
The centre will also house a purpose-built headstone
manufacturing operation which visitors will be able to view in
action. The Commission's main headstone production centre
is, and will remain, near Arras in France, but with an extensive
programme of headstone replacement and repair taking place over
the next 20 years. This additional manufacturing capacity will be invaluable.
It is proposed the new centre will be operational in time for the
centennial commemorations of the First World War.
For further information, please contact Peter Francis on 01628
507163 or 07766 255884 or peter.francis@cwgc.org
Ends.
Notes for Editors 1. The Commonwealth War Graves
Commission The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is
responsible for marking and maintaining the graves of those
members of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world
wars, for building and maintaining memorials to the dead whose
graves are unknown and for providing records and registers of
these 1.7 million burials and commemorations found in most
countries throughout the world. For more information visit www.cwgc.org
2. Funding for the proposal to build the new
centre will be considered by the Flemish Government, which has
invited proposals to mark the 100th anniversary of the Great War.
Successful bids will be announced by the end of 2010. Funding for
the visitor centre would then be split 50/50 between the
Commission and the Flemish Government.
Contacts:
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the issuing dept
ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Peter Francis
Phone: 01628 507163
Mobile: 07766 255 884
peter.francis@cwgc.org