Page 51 - Cadet Review Spring 2025

The cadets gathered early on 2nd November,
brimming with enthusiasm and ready for the task
at hand. Six cadets from Endcliffe Detachment,
along with their project leads, packed the bus with
buckets, jerry cans, scrubbing brushes, and all the
necessary equipment for a day of cleaning and
inspecting the war graves. The team then set off
for their assigned cemeteries in Rotherham
and Penistone, eager to get started.
Upon arrival at the first cemetery, the
volunteers immediately began their
important work: inspecting the headstones
for damage, checking that the inscriptions
were legible, and carefully cleaning the
Commonwealth war graves that needed.
For those graves that featured private
memorials for fallen soldiers, the cadets
showed extra care by removing fallen
leaves from the gravesides, as a mark of
respect and to ensure the graves were
presented in the best possible condition.
Throughout the day, the group visited three
cemeteries, checking and recording the condition
of 39 graves across the locations. Each grave was
thoroughly assessed, with attention paid to any
maintenance or repairs needed and carefully
recorded with the information being fed back to
the CWCG. This meticulous work ensures that
the memory of the fallen soldiers is preserved
and that their resting places are treated with
the utmost respect.
The project doesn’t end with the
conclusion of the first session. The cadets
will continue their work throughout the
year, with plans to revisit the graves in
the spring to check on their condition. In
addition to the physical work, the cadets
will be dedicating time to research the
stories of the fallen soldiers, ensuring
that the histories of these heroes are
CADET REVIEW SPRING 2025 51