SOME 39 new headstones have been erected at Glasnevin Cemetery on the unmarked graves of Irish servicemen and women who served in the first and second World Wars.
The headstones are part of a special project by Glasnevin Trust and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to mark the 208 graves of Irish people who served with Commonwealth forces. The project, which began on Armistice Day 2009, has so far seen the erection of 85 headstones. The burial and military records of those in the 39 graves marked since last year’s commemoration were yesterday revealed for the first time.
The trust is also appealing to the families of the 208 servicemen and women to attend the remembrance ceremonies on November 11th next, Armistice Day, when ceremonies will take place at the O’Connell Tower at 3pm.
This year’s commemoration will see the rededication of two war memorials which have been moved from the back of the cemetery to a position close to the main entrance. The ceremonies will be attended by, among other dignitaries, British ambassador Julian King, who will lay a wreath and erect a plaque. In addition, the graves and burial details of a further 104 servicemen and women have also been identified and the trust is launching an appeal to invite their family members to get in touch.
Trust chairman John Green encouraged those unsure about their family’s links to the servicemen and women to contact the trust or to search the burial records on www.glasnevintrust.ie/genealogy.
