Shorncliffe War Graves Cemetery
The second ever War Graves Week starts on Saturday 21st May, with more events in more countries.
War Graves Week is an annual awareness week that aims to encourage communities to come together and discover the world war heritage on their doorstep.
Many of the men and women who fought and died in the two world wars came from, and are today commemorated in, your local community – lying in cemeteries or named on memorials that were built, and are maintained to this day, by the CWGC – and we want you to learn more about them this War Graves Week.
Marking War Graves Week can be as simple as visiting your local cemetery and memorial. With over 1.7 million casualties commemorated at 23,000 locations in more than 150 countries around the world, including over 300,000 commemorated across the UK, there is more than likely a Commonwealth war grave on your doorstep.
War Graves Week runs form the 21st – 28th May.
War Graves Week is our annual awareness week that aims to encourage communities to come together and discover the world war heritage on their doorstep.
Many of the men and women who fought and died in the two world wars came from, and are today commemorated in, the local community – lying in cemeteries or named on memorials that were built, and are maintained to this day, by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).
Marking War Graves Week can be as simple as visiting your local cemetery and memorial. With over 1.7 million casualties commemorated at 23,000 locations in more than 150 countries around the world, including over 300,000 commemorated across the UK, there is more than likely a Commonwealth war grave on your doorstep.
This War Graves Week explores Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times and discover who you could have been.
About this event
Around the world ordinary people do extraordinary things every day for their community. They do it today, and they did it during the world wars.
Join this War Graves Week in a celebration of the remarkable everyday men and women who faced extraordinary times during the world wars and gave their lives for their communities.
Hawkinge Cemetery
Hawkinge Cemetery is near the site of the former RAF Hawkinge aerodrome, now the site of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum, and most of the 95 Second World War casualties buried here are airmen. About a quarter of these were killed during the Battle of Britain. Most of the war graves are in a special plot east of the chapel, including 59 German graves, which are together in a group at the south-eastern corner
To mark War Graves Week, meet up for a walk around the cemetery to learn about the work of the CWGC and the stories of some of our casualties buried there.
Volunteers will be on site to guide you to the CWGC plot or look our for our marquee.
There is plenty of parking at the chapel. If coming from Spitfire Way, please use the second entrance on the right.
Please come dressed for the weather. The tour involves walking on grass as well as paths. It will last for approximately 60 minutes.
There is parking onsite but no public toilet.
Hawkinge Cemetery on Sunday, May 22 at 10am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3pm
Shorncliffe Military Ceremony
Also as part of War Graves Week, Shorncliffe Military Cemetery will open on Sunday, May 22 at 11 am and 2pm
It will also open on Saturday, May 28 at 11am and 2pm.