Trees planted in memory of HM Queen Elizabeth II at Plymouth Cemetery

Two Bird Cherry (Prunus Padus) trees were planted by Plymouth MP and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Rt Hon Johnny Mercer, during a ceremony at Plymouth (Weston Mill) Cemetery this morning.

These were planted as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), an initiative that was originally created to mark HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee year. They will now bear extra significance and be dedicated to her memory, celebrating her life of service and devotion to duty.

The two new trees were planted on land between war graves commemorated by the CWGC and a small Ministry of Defence (MOD) plot in the cemetery.

Organiser of the event and Manager for the South West at the CWGC, Steve Stewart, said: “It has been a great initiative to be involved in, and the fact that this year also saw the passing of our Queen, this occasion has become more significant.

“I was particularly delighted to welcome Mr Mercer, who is a former colleague of mine. We both served together as Captains in 29 Commando Regiment, which is equally apt and poignant, as there are three former members of our regiment buried in the MOD plot.”

The Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP said: “The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative provides an opportunity to commemorate HM Queen Elizabeth II in locations all across the country. To plant trees here at Weston Mill Cemetery amongst CWGC War Graves and MOD veteran graves is particularly moving and as both the local MP and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs it was a privilege to be involved.”

The CWGC has been busy planting trees across the South West since Monday. Trees have also been planted in Durrington Cemetery, Portishead Cemetery and at Bath Haycombe Cemetery, where the Commission commemorates the fallen from both world wars.

Friday’s ceremony was also attended by CWGC Public Engagement Coordinator Rebecca Smith and Volunteer Co-ordinator for the South West, Andy Tysoe. Rebecca Smith is also a Plymouth city councillor and joined volunteers from the CWGC’s Eyes On, Hands On project, who help those at the Commission to care for war graves.

Plymouth (Weston Mill) Cemetery contains 401 burials of the First World War, one being unidentified and 556 from the Second World War, 11 of which are unidentified. The Commission also maintains 178 non-war service burials (on behalf of the MOD) and 36 war graves of other nationalities, 25 of them Polish.

For more information about the QGC visit: The Queen’s Green Canopy (queensgreencanopy.org)