Visiting the Commonwealth War Graves in Wolstanton

On Saturday, I visited St Margaret’s Church in Wolstanton for a guided tour organised by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, focused on the Commonwealth War Graves located in the churchyard.

I want to thank the church volunteers who made the visit possible. Mrs Horan, the Verger of the church, and Mrs Jackson, who looks after the churchyard, do outstanding work caring for a site of real local and national importance. I also want to thank Geoff, who led the tour alongside Ian, and Sarah from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, for sharing their detailed local knowledge and research. They were all very generous with their time and hospitality.

St Margaret’s Churchyard contains a number of Commonwealth War Graves and memorials, commemorating men who were killed in action during the First World War, those who later died from wounds or illness linked to their service, and individuals whose war-related deaths were only formally recognised after careful research many years later. Together, they form a powerful local record of how global conflict has affected families and communities in Wolstanton and across North Staffordshire.

Find out more about those commemorated at St Margaret's Churchyard: https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/44004/wolstanton-st-margaret-churchyard/

In several cases, the recognition of memorials and graves has depended on detailed local research, supporting evidence, and persistence. This work matters, because it ensures that those who served are properly recorded and commemorated, even when that recognition comes many years later.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission plays a central role in this work. It is responsible for maintaining many war graves and memorials and for reviewing cases where service or cause of death may not have been fully acknowledged at the time. That work relies not only on official records, but on collaboration with local volunteers, historians, and communities who take an active interest in what is here.

Commemorating John Raftery who died 3 May 1918 aged just 23 years old

The visit underlined to me that St Margaret’s Churchyard is a place more people should know about. It is an important historic site within the constituency, but it is also a working site that depends on ongoing care, local knowledge, and community involvement.

I would encourage you to visit, learn more about what is here, and consider getting involved in supporting the volunteers and organisations who care for this important part of our local history.

Find out more about volunteering: https://www.cwgc.org/our-work/volunteer/