College students volunteer with Commission gardeners
27 March 2012
Students on the Uniformed Services Course at Fareham
Tertiary College have volunteered to carry out work in Ann's Hill
Cemetery, Gosport.
Thirteen students visited the cemetery's war graves plot
on 16 March and have made a commitment to return again
throughout the academic year.
Among other tasks, the group removed two semi-mature
Turkish Hazel trees and replaced them with two Fagus Sylvatica,
donated by the college.
The students were supervised throughout the project by college
tutors and Commission staff and CWGC Regional Supervisor Carl
Liversage spoke highly of their efforts.
"The students were very enthusiastic and demonstrated drive and
determination throughout and there were smiles all round as the
tasks were completed on time."
A World War Two Commemoration Ceremony is held at the cemetery
every June and Gosport Borough Councillor Graham Burgess, spoke of
the direct benefits of the initiative.
"We are very grateful to both the Commonwealth War Graves
Commission and the students for their time and work in maintaining
the area in which the war graves are situated.
"We hold our annual World War Two ceremony there every June as
we feel it is important that we remember those who lost their lives
in defense of their country."
Gosport was a significant sea port and Naval depot during both
World Wars. Number 5 Squadron Royal Flying Corps were based at
Gosport just before the outbreak of the First World War and during
the Second World War the town was the base for Number 17 Group
Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy Light Coastal Forces.
Ann's Hill Cemetery contains 104 First World War graves and 144
Second World War burials in a plot at the Western end of the
cemetery. There are also 31 German burials in the cemetery.
Image courtesy of Matt Bull, Gosport Borough
Council