The Golden Bay war graves of the First World War
The war graves of William Harvey and Sydney Skilton (front) and brothers Henry and John Parry (rear), each with a standard war grave headstone. Photo: Supplied.
The Collingwood Roll of Honour for the First World War lists 47 local men – a huge loss for a small community. Of those who died, 42 are buried overseas, but the other five are buried in the Collingwood Cemetery, in official war graves: those of William Harvey and Sydney Skilton (who both served overseas); brothers Henry and John Parry, and Percy Skilton. Further biographical information on these men and their war history is planned to appear in forthcoming issues of The GB Weekly.
Apart from the symbolic Unknown Warrior, no bodies were ever repatriated from the countries in which servicemen and women died. All others are buried in the huge war cemeteries in France, Belgium, Gallipoli and elsewhere. These are cared for in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on behalf of the various governments of the Commonwealth.
Most New Zealanders, however, will not be aware that the Ministry for Culture and Heritage (as agent for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission) is responsible for the care of all war graves of the First and Second World Wars within New Zealand, of which there are 3478 graves in 435 burial sites around the country. None of those buried in these “true” war graves within New Zealand died overseas, and yet there were no hostilities in New Zealand during either war. How does this come about?
Very simply, if you were a serving member of the forces within New Zealand, and you died during wartime, from whatever cause, your grave was classed as a “true” war grave and is maintained in perpetuity, like the graves of the war dead overseas. “True” war graves of the First World War are of those members of the forces who died between 4 August 1914 and 31 August 1921. The latter date, on which the Order in Council officially ending the war was signed, was chosen as the cut-off date for classification as a war grave.
This extended period after the date of the Armistice, which was signed on 11 November 1918, meant that many of those who had returned to their home countries wounded or sick and died after the Armistice were accorded appropriate recognition. However, a large proportion of those whose graves are cared for by the Ministry never even went overseas or took part in hostilities. Some died of illness or accident. The influenza epidemic of 1918 cut down hundreds of returned service personnel, and those in training camps. Most of the 180 buried in Featherston cemetery in the Wairarapa died over three or four days from influenza contracted while they were in Featherston camp.
It is not always obvious to a cemetery visitor which are official war graves. At the time, families could choose between the standard design war grave headstone, which provided limited information, or to supply their own headstone with whatever information they wished. Of the Collingwood war graves, four have standard granite headstones and one (Percy Skilton’s) is a marble family headstone. Regardless of the style, the Ministry inspects all “true” war graves every two years and arranges maintenance when necessary.
The descendents of the Collingwood men at least have the satisfaction of knowing that the graves of their own war dead will always be cared for. The latest renovations to the graves were carried out this past summer by G Miller and Sons, of Richmond.
Margaret Marks, Ministry for Culture and Heritage
