Commonwealth War Graves

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The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) monitors and maintains 346 graves, 87 of which are in the Soldier’s Corner plot and 259 others which are scattered graves in the rest of the cemetery. The location of the scattered graves was decided by the families of those who died.

Soldier’s Corner is laid out similarly to the large cemeteries on the Continent, with the Remembrance rose being included in the planting scheme.

Some civilian burials had already taken place and headstones erected prior to the CWGC being granted exclusive burial rights on 13 March 1924.

On 24 March 1925, Messrs Gadsley & Co, of 273 Nottingham Road Derby, successfully tendered to construct the Cross of Sacrifice in Stancliffe Stone from Darley Dale, the formation of concrete bases needed for the erection of headstones and the planting of an enclosing hedge.

On 8 December 1925, Mr F T Perry, 123 Birmingham Road Lichfield, successfully tendered at £2.15s.11d per headstone to provide, engrave, erect and deliver the headstones. The cost of the personal inscriptions on the headstones would be partly met by remittances from relatives, who would have paid 1½d per letter.

On 13 January 1926, The Cross of Sacrifice was unveiled by the Mayor of Derby. The Bishop of Derby dedicated the Cross and the Last Post and Reveille were sounded by buglers from Normanton Barracks.