A Fife MP has urged the public to visit their local Commonwealth war graves.
North East Fife MP Sir Menzies Campbell said a visit would help them gain a greater understanding of the scale and magnitude of the First World War and the impact that it has had on today’s society.
The call follows a national initiative led by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the All-Party Parliamentary War Heritage Group and the In From The Cold Project, which maps more than 300,000 war dead by each parliamentary constituency.
Sir Menzies, who also sits on the Government’s First World War Centenary Commemoration Advisory Group, said: “This year marks the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War and it is only fitting that the whole country pauses to honour the generation that was lost in that conflict.
“The centenary is also an opportunity for us to educate our young people about the events of 100 years ago and bring to life the personal stories that lie behind the gravestones and memorials throughout Fife.
“Visiting your local Commonwealth war graves is a simple but important way of commemorating the outbreak of the Great War.”
CWGC’s UK director Deirdre Mills said the centenary was an opportune time to re-engage and connect with communities and young people and explain how the people who are buried in Britain’s graves got to be there, who they were, and where they were from.
“More than 300,000 Commonwealth servicemen and women are commemorated in the UK. Many died in military hospitals while being treated for their wounds or fell victim to the flu pandemic as the conflict drew to a close.
“Their graves reflect both the local impact of the war but also its wider historical significance.”
To highlight some of the personal stories attached to each grave, more than 100 information panels are being installed in the UK.
There is also a Local War Graves Visits programme to bring this period of history alive and an online virtual cemetery education portal.