Guided tours of war graves start this weekend

A VOLUNTEER group is offering grave tours of a Rotherham cemetery to raise awareness of those lost in both World Wars.

A VOLUNTEER group is offering grave tours of a Rotherham cemetery to raise awareness of those lost in both World Wars this weekend.

The tours of Moorgate graveyard will be led by Steve Rendi, a local volunteer for The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (GWGC), who are encouraging people from the local community to come together and discover the World War heritage on their doorstep.

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Mr Rendi said: “We’re delighted that the CWGC’s War Graves Tours will be taking place in Rotherham.

“Behind every name on a war grave or memorial in Rotherham is a human story waiting to be discovered and the War Graves Tours are the perfect opportunity to do just that.”

Moorgate Cemetery contains a Key Feature in the Cross of Sacrifice, a Commonwealth War Memorial that represents war cemeteries which contain 40 or more graves.

Eighty-five heroic men and women of the First and Second World War were laid to rest in this cemetery, including a recipient of the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry.

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“I’d encourage everyone in Rotherham to join one of the tours to reconnect with their local history, to learn about the courageous ordinary people from our community who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” Mr Rendi added.

The guided tours will take place at 10.30am on Saturday, June 25, Sunday, July 31, Saturday, August 27, Thursday, September 8, Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, November 27.

The CWGC is encouraging the people of Rotherham to seek out the stories in their local area and book onto a free tour at www.cwgc.org/tours.