War Graves Inspection Volunteers Reporting for Duty

Published on: 28 Apr, 2026
Updated on: 28 Apr, 2026

Voluntary Action South West Surrey’s own volunteers have been busy again inspecting headstones and tidying up war graves in cemeteries in Farncombe and Guildford.

This is with the Commonwealth War Graves’s Commission’s Eyes On, Hands On volunteering project in which volunteers check, twice a year, on what are termed ‘scattered graves’ located in churchyards and municipal cemeteries.

Kate, Bob and David at the Godalming (Old) Cemetery in Farncombe.

Voluntary Action’s staff members David Rose and Kate Jones co-ordinate the project and arrange the visits to Godalming (Old) Cemetery in Farncombe (also known as Nightingale Cemetery) and Stoke (Old) Cemetery, in Guildford, both as named by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Both cemeteries were visited in April. At the Godalming cemetery there are eight war graves and at the Guildford cemetery there are 27 graves.

John, David, Kate and Bob at Godalming (Old) Cemetery in Farncombe.

Most burials have Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstones, while other service personnel are buried in private or family plots. Both types are inspected.

Gillian and Andrea at Stoke (Old) Cemetery, Guildford.

The headstones are checked to see if there is any damage or wear and are then given a clean with a brush and water.

Steve and Neil at Stoke (Old) Cemetery, Guildford.

Tidying up of the grave plot is undertaken where necessary. This can be light weeding or cutting back brambles and other plants or bushes that have grown over the grave.

In the main, both cemeteries are well looked after by staff from Godalming Town Council (Nightingale Cemetery) and by Guildford Borough Council (Stoke Cemetery).

Les and Geoff at Stoke (Old) Cemetery, Guildford.

David Rose said: “With different volunteers at each cemetery, once again the weather was kind to us.

“Everyone who came along and helped out enjoyed each morning’s work, with plenty of friendly chat. At the end of each session we supplied refreshments, that included sausage rolls, cakes, tea and coffee, to thank everyone.”

The team at Stoke (Old) Cemetery, Guildford.

After each inspection photos of the headstones are taken and a report of the work done is filed to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Volunteer Ray Slack, who took the photos at both cemeteries, pictured at Godalming (Old Cemetery), Farncombe.

Its volunteer co-ordinator for the South East is Denise Sear. She is also kept in the loop and gives support and help to volunteers of the Eyes On, Hands On project.

If you would like to join our team and help out in the autumn at the next inspections, email Kate Jones at k.jones@vasws.org.uk or phone 07513 825132.