The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) maintains the graves or commemorations of over 1.7 million Commonwealth war dead worldwide, including at over 400 sites in Nova Scotia.
Over 2,500 volunteers around the world support that maintenance work in various ways: inspecting scattered headstones, delivering inspiring talks and tours, or supporting the CWGC archives teams. Volunteers have a huge impact: by joining the volunteer program, you will play a vital role in ensuring each headstone is preserved and that the memory of service personnel endures for generations to come.
The national volunteer program is active in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, PEI and Saskatchewan. Community members act as the CWGC’s eyes in their local area, visiting local cemeteries and gathering information about the condition of CWGC war graves. You will receive training on how to inspect headstones, how to report a grave in need of repair, and how to safely clean headstones where required.
Interested in volunteering? Visit the CWGC volunteer site at cwgc.org/our-work/volunteer/volunteering-in-north-america/
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was established by Royal Charter in 1917 as the sole organization charged with the commemoration of Commonwealth service men and women who died during the First World War. This remit was later extended to include the Second World War.
