COUNTY MP Fiona O’Donnell is encouraging schools and residents to visit their local Commonwealth war graves to 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 spearheaded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the All-Party Parliamentary War Heritage Group and the ‘In From The Cold Project’ that maps more than 300,000 Commonwealth war dead by each Parliamentary constituency.

The initiative is supported by Ms O’Donnell, who has recently visited Commonwealth war graves at cemeteries at various locations in East Lothian to find out more about the work of the CWGC.

Speaking after her visit, Ms O’Donnell said: “The centenary of the outbreak of the First World War is a time not just for reflection and commemoration, but also an opportunity to educate a new generation of young people about the events of a hundred years ago. When you stand at the gravestone of one of the fallen it brings to life some of the personal stories from this time.

“Visiting the graves of the fallen is a simple but profoundly important way to commemorate the outbreak of the war. I found it deeply moving to visit some of the war graves here in East Lothian and recognise local family names.

“It was so sad to see how young some of the fallen were, and those too who left families without a father or mother. It also struck me how many local people who fought in the First World War lost their lives so close to the end of the war.

“I want to thank the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for all the work they do to look after the gravestones and the East Lothian Council staff who look after the cemeteries.” Deirdre Mills, CWGC’s director of UK Area added: “The centenary is an opportune time for us to re-engage and connect with local communities and young people, and explain how the people who are buried in our 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 whilst being treated for their wounds or fell victim to the flu pandemic as the conflict drew to a close.

“To highlight some of the personal stories of those who are buried or commemorated in our graves, we are installing more than 100 visitor information panels. The panels incorporate QR codes which, when scanned with the latest smartphone technology, enable visitors to read these stories and understand the historical context.”