In the course of researching those who died in the service of their country, many anomalies have been found. Incorrectly spelled names, wrong entries on memorials, etc.

It must be remembered that the number of personnel was huge, notes and records often hand-written and, in the chaos of war and its aftermath, it was inevitable that mistakes were made. Added to that, official records of most of those who served in UK forces were stored in London and many suffered from fire and water damage during the Second World War.

In some cases we have records of those who served and died but have not been officially commemorated at all.

Members of the Channel Islands Great War Study Group are listing these, collating as much information as possible and forwarding this to the CWGC. The Commission, after examination of evidence, forward these cases to the UK Ministry of Defence for their decision. This can takes many months or serveral years in some cases.

An example of a case successfully pursued is that of Able Seaman John Helman - more details.

Since its inception, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission has constructed 2,500 war cemeteries and plots, erecting headstones over graves and, in instances where the remains are missing, inscribing the names of the dead on permanent memorials. Over one million casualties are now commemorated at military and civil sites in some 150 countries.

1) Any serving member of a Commonwealth armed force who died during the qualifying dates in any location and of any cause whatsoever. The causes of death can categorised as follows - Killed in Action, Died of Wounds, Died of Illness, Died by Accident, Died through Homicide or Suicide and Died through Judicial Execution.

2) Any former member of a Commonwealth armed force who died during the qualifying dates of injuries or a condition related to service during the qualifying dates. (Men/women who died of wounds or illness after discharge).

3) A member of one of the Recognised Civilian Organisations (e.g. Mercantile Marine, Red Cross, YMCA etc.) who died whilst on duty AND of a war cause or the increased threat brought on by war during the qualifying dates.

Having a CWGC headstone or having a private headstone does not alter the casualty's entitlement to War Grave status and listing by CWGC