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Families asked to share memories of their war dead

Karl Birdand
Grace McGrory,East Yorkshire & Lincolnshire
Beyond the headstones: Lincolnshire’s war graves

People are being asked to share memories of their relatives who died during the two world wars.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has a database containing the names of 1.7 million people who lost their lives while serving across the British Empire.

The organisation also maintains war graves at more than 350 sites across Lincolnshire, including at Newport Cemetery in Lincoln, which is the focus of the latest Secret Lincolnshire podcast.

Elizabeth Smith, CWGC's public engagement coordinator for the east of England, said: "We're asking members of the public to upload the stories of their first and second world war casualties.

"People might not be aware of their family history, so I would encourage people to look into it."

BBC/Karl Bird Rows of white headstones are lined around a stone cross. A pathway leads through well-kept lawns, while trees frame the memorial area. BBC/Karl Bird
According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, about 260 people, who died in both world wars, are commemorated at Newport Cemetery in Lincoln

According to volunteer tour guide Steve Baldwin, Robert Ker was the first wartime casualty to be buried at Newport Cemetery.

In 1914, Ker was involved in putting up tents at a site near Grantham, which was a base for machine gun training, said Baldwin.

However, he developed pneumonia and died at Lincoln's 4th Northern General Hospital on 4 September 1914. He was aged 37.

Baldwin also highlighted F.W Sheffield, a private in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He died on 12 November 1918, aged 31. His death occurred just a day after World War One ended.

Smith said: "I always find it really poignant when you have those November 1918 deaths.

"I find it incredibly sad, and I don't know why because it's probably no sadder than them dying at any other time."

BBC/Karl Bird A stone gravestone has a cross on it. It also reads the inscription of 'at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.' To the left hand side is a red knitted poppy. BBC/Karl Bird
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) tends to war graves at more than 350 sites across Lincolnshire

Smith also highlighted the case of John W. Reames, who died on 31 May 1915, aged 30.

He was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, and joined the Royal Navy when he was 22. He then became part of the Royal Naval Brigade when the First World War broke out.

In 1915, she said Reames was involved in the amphibious landings at Gallipoli.

Reames died from what local papers at the time referred to as severe wounds. His body was shipped back to Southampton, before being taken to Lincoln for burial.

Four female casualties from the Second World War are buried at the cemetery, said Baldwin.

Sister Mary Satchell trained as a nurse and served in France. She narrowly escaped capture.

Baldwin added that Satchell was then posted to Egypt and Italy, and in her later service got injured.

She returned to Lincoln for treatment, but died on 8 May 1945 - VE Day.

For Baldwin, preserving the memories of those who died is a responsibility.

He said: "I like to actually emphasise the background to these [grave] stones, or these casualties, because they are real people.

"They had real lives surrounding them before they actually joined up, and obviously before they were killed, or died, for whatever reason during their military activity."

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