Remembrance Day Service
Commonwealth War Graves Section at
Botley Cemetery, North Hinksey Lane, Oxford
This annual event is organised by North Hinksey Parish Council and is well supported by the local community and visitors who travel considerable distances to be part of this unique service. The Botley Commonwealth War Graves section is one of the larger ones in the country and contains the graves of 746 servicemen from both the First and Second World Wars, including a nurse from the First World War.
Local clergy and leaders from other faiths, together with NHPC Chairman, lead an inter-faith service. An appropriate Address is given by a visiting VIP. Past speakers have included the retired head people of the Baptist and Methodist faiths, and one of the Queen’s Chaplains. The Queen is represented by one of the Deputy Lieutenants for Oxfordshire and the High Commissions of the Commonwealth and foreign countries send distinguished representatives. Other organisations are well represented and it is always a pleasure to see so many young people present from the Guides, Brownies, Scouts and Cubs.
Members of the County Youth Brass Band Ensemble provide really excellent music for the event and Radio Cherwell, the hospital radio service in Oxford, provide the sound system. Dalton Barracks send a platoon of very smart soldiers and provide a Guard of Honour at the Stone of Remembrance, where the wreaths are laid.
The wreath laying ceremony follows an ordered format but it is inclusive and anyone is welcome to bring and lay wreaths too. The procedures will be explained on arrival.
Most people find this a most moving ceremony. People stand on the grass paths among the grave headstones. It is always sad to read the names and ages of those laid at rest and many so far from their homes.
The noisy back-drop of the A34 is a reminder that life goes on – but we must also take time to remember. The Kohima Epitaph says:
When you go home tell them of us and say:
For your tomorrow we gave our today
Afterwards, members of Botley Women’s Institute serve tea and coffee and everyone is made to feel very welcome in their lovely hall.
General parking in the Minns Business Park, off Botley Road, Oxford.
Parking in the cemetery is restricted to permit holders.
Councillor Eric Batts
Chairman of N.H.P.C. Remembrance Day Sub-Committee
A Brief History of the Commonwealth War Graves Section of Botley Cemetery
During the 1914-1918 war the University Examinations School in High Street was used as a military hospital (3rd
Southern General Hospital) and military personnel who died there were buried in the newly created War Graves
Section of Botley Cemetery.
In the 1939 – 1945 war, the Churchill Hospital became a specialist military burns hospital. Military personnel who died there were buried in War Graves Section, along with POW’s who died in POW camps close to Oxford. The War Graves Section was also used for airmen who had died and had been attached to RAF stations in Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
The War Section of Botley cemetery is one of the largest war graves in Britain and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. It contains the war dead of British, Commonwealth and European countries. There are 746 service personnel buried in the cemetery, (745 men and 1 women, a Nurse, who it is believed was serving at a local military hospital), who lost their lives in the wars 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.
United Kingdom 353 graves,
Australia 161 graves,
Canada 98 graves,
New Zealand 63 graves,
South African 3 graves
Belgium 5 graves,
Germany 37 graves,
Greece 1 grave,
Italy 7 graves
Netherlands 3 graves,
Poland 15 graves.
Pictures below taken by Steve Weeler
They may not be reproduced without his permision
Copies may be obtained by phoning 07884 187 387
Please quote reference under photograph
RD2009-6
RD2009-10
RD2009-15