GRAVEWATCH

GRAVEWATCH

The GRAVEWATCH system was set up 35 years ago by Gil BOYD BEM an ex 2 PARA NCO to record and register every serving Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces grave around the world, how a soldier died in service for history's sake and is a Regimental Initiative to ensure the names of our fallen our always remembered.

It MUST be remembered that GRAVEWATCH only records those who fell during their respective service, it does not record every soldier who ever served, or died in civilian circumstances.

The register records every grave and its location, the circumstances of the particular soldier’s death, his service number, rank and the condition of his particular gravestone, where ever that may be in the world.

In collaboration with other agencies such as the (CWGC) Commonwealth War Grave Commission and the Ministry of Defence (JCCC) Joint Casualty Compassionate Centre, GRAVEWATCH, has been successful in putting right errors that have occurred, and rectifying errors in the correct gravesite locations and clarified many repatriation issues of past campaigns.

It has also replaced gravestones that have fallen into disrepair. Where stones are reported in poor condition, GRAVEWATCH liaises closely with the CWGC to restore the condition of the stone. Military gravestones are normally of Portland stone and the individual carving is carried out by the CWGC.

One must also remember, that where the family or (NOK) Next of Kin have opted out of a military burial, private gravestones are often used, and in these circumstances, it is essential that the next of kin are consulted and the sensitivities are realised first before any remedial work is carried out on a gravesite.

These private gravesites do not fall under the GRAVEWATCH system, but if reported to the system, all steps will be taken with local help and the coordination of the (PRA) Parachute Regimental Association, to rectify its condition to the best of our ability, and of course with close liaison with the family first, if contactable.

There may be circumstances where the ashes have been spread at the wishes of the deceased soldier before his death, and nameplates of small gravestones have been placed to commemorate the soldier's Regiment. In these circumstances, the grave plate or stone will fall under and assistance we can assist in cleaning up the site to an acceptable standard with again the (NOK) Next of Kin permission.

The full records held on every fallen soldier within the GRAVEWATCH system are Confidential and therefore treated with the greatest of respect, and are only held by the Author, the Airborne Assault Archive, IWM Duxford, Regimental Headquarters, Colchester, and the (PRA) Parachute Regimental Association, RHQ Colchester. However, a basic list can be found here.

UTRINQUE PARATUS

Contact numbers of the above agencies can be found on Military Telephone Networks.