Nick Thomas-Symonds has joined in tributes to Commonwealth veterans, as the country marked War Graves Week, which took place from 21 May – 28 May, an initiative from the commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

The Torfaen MP visited Panteg Cemetery, where there are 36 Commonwealth veterans buried, with a total of 150 across Torfaen.

War Graves Week encourages local residents to learn about the stories of those commemorated by the CWGC in Torfaen, and the skills, dedication, and expertise of the CWGC staff who work to keep their memory alive.

Torfaen residents keen to learn more about the remarkable stories of the men and women of the Commonwealth forces that died in the First and Second World Wars who are buried in their community can visit www.CWGC.org and visit the cemeteries in person. War Graves Week provides a unique chance for the people of Torfaen to reconnect with their local history.

At www.CWGC.org, Torfaen residents can learn about the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times project – the focus of this year’s War Graves Week. Alongside the frontline Armed Forces, the CWGC will be celebrating the value those who served during the World Wars brought to key sectors such as healthcare, logistics, infrastructure, and communications.

Nick Thomas-Symonds MP said: ‘War Graves Week is a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with our local history and learn about the courageous ordinary people from our community who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Behind every name on a war grave or memorial in Torfaen is a human story wating to be discovered and War Graves Week is a perfect opportunity to do that.’