What is the role of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and the Office of Australian War Graves?
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), based in the United Kingdom, is responsible for the official commemoration of all Commonwealth casualties of the two world wars and the maintenance of those commemorations in perpetuity. In general terms, the Commission maintains war cemeteries and individual war graves in civil cemeteries. Australia is a member of the Commission. By formal agreement, the Office of Australian War Graves maintains the CWGC cemeteries and war graves in Australia and PNG. The Office also commemorates the war dead of conflicts after the Second World War, and those veterans of all wars and conflicts who die after their service from a war caused condition. In addition, as noted above, OAWG has the responsibility of constructing and maintaining Australia’s official war memorials overseas. In doing these things, OAWG provides information and other services to the veteran community and general public. Beyond regular maintenance, OAWG has an ongoing program of refur
