New resource for relatives of First World War dead

FAMILIES WHOSE relatives died in the First World War can now learn more than ever before about their ancestors’ burials thanks to the release of 300,000 original documents by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The records were posted online this week to mark the centenary of the First World War. Almost one million people serving the Commonwealth were killed — including 3,000 Jewish soldiers.

Visitors to the commission’s website can search soldiers by name to find detailed descriptions of rank, service number, date of death, cemetery, plot row and grave number.

Jeffrey Fox, national chairman of the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women, said he “applauded” the release of information online. “We have a huge resource that locates the burials of British soldiers. But very often, soldiers didn’t disclose their religion, or chaplains filled in the wrong records. This information is likely to provide more detail.”