Headstone honour for war casualties (From Western Telegraph)

Headstone honour for Tenby war casualties

8:50am Sunday 24th February 2013 in News

Two First World War casualties buried in Tenby Cemetery have been recommended to receive new Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstones.

The inscriptions on the private kerbstones marking the graves of Pte Henry Lewis Bevan of the Pembroke Yeomanry and William H. G. D. Mathias of the Royal Defence Corps have suffered the ravages of time in an overgrown part of the old cemetery. Once erected, the new headstones will be cared for in perpetuity by the commission.

Andy Knowlson, the newly appointed regional supervisor for the commission, confirmed the news on a recent visit to Pembrokeshire to inspect some of the hundreds of war graves throughout the county.

Andy, who previously worked for the commission in East Africa, France and Germany, has responsibility for Commonwealth war graves in more than 1,200 locations throughout his new region, which includes the whole of west Wales.

He explained: “In addition to maintaining war graves distinguished by the CWGC’s own headstones, the commission endeavours to ensure that inscriptions on private memorials remain legible and will repair them if necessary.

“If that is not possible the CWGC will erect one of its distinctive headstones.”

Steve John, of the Pembroke County War Memorial Project, said: “Andy has his work cut out caring for the thousands of grave spread throughout the region and I’d like to offer him any help I can.

“I’ve already heard very positive reports about both his enthusiasm for the task and the knowledge and experience he brings with him. “