Family get to see Grandfather’s final resting place more than a century on

More than a century after their grandfather’s death, a family were finally able to see his final resting place in Iraq thanks to the CWGC Africa and Asia Area team.

One of the CWGC’s volunteers, Terry Whenham, was contacted by the granddaughter of Private JW Commesky, who wished to see his final resting place at Baghdad (North Gate) Cemetery. Through the Public Engagement Team, Terry asked whether this would be possible.

Iraq is managed by the Commission’s Africa and Asia Area team and the Area’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, Nicolas Antoniou, contacted our local team in Baghdad, to see whether this was possible; Within a week, the family were able to receive images of the cemetery and of Private Commesky’s final resting place. The family were blown away by this kindness.

Private Commesky’s granddaughter, Mary, said:
‘I’m crying, so happy to see that it’s still standing – it’s good to be able to see it at last. I’d begun to think it was impossible; it’s taken over 100 years for my family to see this so it means a lot.’

Speaking about the site, and broader situation in Iraq, Africa and Asia Area Director Rich Hills said:
‘We completed a survey of all headstones in Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery last year. Some are missing, others need replacing; under normal conditions, Private Commesky’s headstone would’ve been replaced due to its current level of legibility  but as local conditions are still very challenging we are unable to carry out a headstone replacement programme. Our current strategy in Baghdad is to keep the site cleared and secure like in most other locations around Iraq - but we receive a monthly report and the site is safe, notwithstanding local security issues.’

Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery Iraq, the Stone of Remembrance, and Cross of Sacrifice in 1966.