HRH The Duke of Kent follows in grandfather’s footsteps on visit to Western Front

His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, President of the CWGC, yesterday followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, King George V, as he visited a number of Commission cemeteries on the former Western Front.

Accompanied by CWGC Director General Victoria Wallace, His Royal Highness paid tribute to the bravery of the men and women commemorated at cemeteries first visited by his grandfather during a special post-war pilgrimage in 1922.

The Duke also recognised the outstanding service and lifelong commitment of two of the CWGC’s longest serving members of staff – Dennis Pluck and William Moody – both of whom received awards in recognition of 50 years of service with the Commission.

Speaking about his visit, His Royal Highness said: “As President of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, it has been my honour to visit war cemeteries and memorials across the globe.

“These remarkable, but deeply moving reminders of the human tragedy that unfolded here a century ago are as important today as when my grandfather visited them in 1922.

“It is fitting and noble that our committed staff maintain these places to a standard of excellence and I am especially pleased to be able to recognise the work of Dennis and William, who typify the dedication of all the CWGC’s staff in ensuring that the resting place of those who gave their lives for us, is a fitting tribute to their sacrifice.”

His Royal Highness, who has presided over the CWGC since 1970, began his visit at Etaples Military Cemetery, the largest CWGC war cemetery in France, where 100 years ago, on the 19 May 1918, bombing raids by German aircraft killed more than 180 soldiers and injured many others. Those who lost their lives are buried in the cemetery.

He then made his way to St Etienne au Mont Communal Cemetery, where he paid tribute to the contribution of the Chinese Labour Corps and South African Native Labour Corps, 168 of whom are buried here.

At the CWGC’s Terlincthun British Cemetery, The Duke presented 50 Year Service Medals to Dennis Pluck and William Moody. Senior Head Gardener Dennis Pluck followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming a gardener for the Commission in 1966. He has worked across sites in Northern France. William Moody is currently the Sector Supervisor in Western France, however he has worked at sites in Tunisia, Germany and Greece. Both his son and nephew have taken roles with the Commission.

His Royal Highness concluded his visit at Wimereux Communal Cemetery – the final resting place of Canadian poet John McCrae, the author of ‘In Flanders Fields’.

CWGC Director General Victoria Wallace said: “The Duke of Kent has presided over our work for nearly 50 years. In all that time, his commitment to us and to the importance of ongoing remembrance of the war dead has never waned.

“It is always a privilege to take His Royal Highness to our sites and to tell him of our plans to encourage ever greater numbers of people to follow in his footsteps. It is fitting, therefore, that we conclude this short pilgrimage at the graveside of John McCrae – the man whose poem issued a challenge to us all, to pass on the torch of remembrance to the next generation and who died 100 years ago.”