Sharon Dowey MSP has met with representatives from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) to learn more about their vital work and to see some of the commonwealth graves at Ayr Cemetery.
The CWGC is a global organisation, caring for war graves at over 23,000 locations in more than 150 countries and territories. They commemorate almost 1.7 million men and women from the Commonwealth who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars, ensuring they are remembered in a manner befitting their sacrifice.
Ayr Cemetery is the resting place of 209 war dead, with the Commission marking and maintaining the graves of the fallen. They can provide cemetery tours free of charge as well as free educational resources to schools and other organisations including talks, especially around remembrance time.
Ahead of VE80 celebrations in May this year, events will be taking place across South Ayrshire including;
- The Standing with Giants display, a blanket of poppies, a schools competition, a beacon lighting ceremony and a concert of remembrance at Ayr Town Hall.
The MSP was given a tour of the cemetery by;
- Sehar Sardar, Public Engagement Co-ordinator, S & W Scotland
- Terry Wright, CWGC volunteer speaker and tour guide
- Ian Anderson, Regional Manager for Scotland
- Anne Barclay, Eyes On Hands On volunteer Co-ordinator, Scotland, and
- EOHO Volunteer, Bill.
Sharon Dowey MSP said: “It was a great honour to receive a tour of Ayr Cemetery from some of the team at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The Commission have a dedicated team of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the respect and remembrance of our fallen heroes. Thank you to Sehar, Terry and the rest of the team for meeting with me in Ayr, and I look forward to continuing to engage with them and supporting their work ahead of this year’s VE Day 80 celebrations.”
