When Life is Lost

At the end of both world wars, families of fallen soldiers with known graves were given the opportunity to have an epitaph placed on the headstone. Families were able to make their own inscription or choose from those suggested by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Over the course of the 3 tours, the students have found that reading the many & varied epitaphs on the headstones has been one of the most poignant of all the experiences.

The epitaphs provide a very personal insight into the grief of the families and they offer an interesting study of how war and sacrifice was viewed by society of the time.

Of all the many and interesting topics on the tours, the epitaphs consistently generated the most discussion. They stimulated a great deal of reflective thought and in numerous cases brought tour members to tears.

On this page you will find a selection of some of the most interesting epitaphs we have come across + some wonderful responses from the students from all three tours

On the 1999 tour, Corinne found this epitaph on the grave of Sgt W. Watson at Bellicourt British Cemetery in France.

It really affected her and she made a point of laying one of our wreaths on the grave. To her this was a special act for a soldier & family she didn't know - but to which the epitaph had given her some connection.

*Note Sgt Watson's date of death - 5 Oct. 1918 - the last action by Australian infantry in WW1

At Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, Gallipoli, Elise (on the 2002 tour) was moved by an epitaph that showed the despair and bitterness of a young mother's loss. Elise wrote:

"The CWGC inscriptions can be so heart wrenching. One of them was written obviously from his young wife. I took a photo but just to be theree & realise that I was standing at this man's grave, the grave his wife most likely wouldn't have ever seen."

I've no darling now I'm weeping Baby & I you left alone

Also at Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, Private McAllister's epitaph elicited a respectful response from Tara (2002):

"Seems intruding to walk on the ground so I did so lightly"

At Quinn's Post Cemetery, Gallipoli, the epitaph of Corporal A. Capps hit an emotional chord with school principal, Linda Boyle, herself a mother:

Some day Some time We'll understand

Mother

Other epitaphs noted by the students

Here lies a father's hope A mother's pride And a wife's dependence

Not forgotten by wife and 5 children RIP

Memory is the only friend that grief can call its own From his loving mother, brother & sister

He always played the game

Also in memory of Reg and Charlie Killed on Gallipoli My all. Mother

Chungkai War Cemetery, Thailand

The students who visited this beautiful cemetery on the outskirts of Kanchanaburi made a special note of the many poignant epitaphs.

No Australians are buried here, however the epitaphs of these British soldiers who are buried so far from their families are particularly moving.

Peacefully sleeping, free from pain, We would not wake him to suffer again

Sleep on, dear son, and take thy rest They miss you most who love you best

Au Revoir, my darling, till we meet again, I hope in a better, happier world. Mum

God gave you life, I gave you love So we shall meet in heaven above. Mum

Winter brings a promise of spring as wife and son to your dear memory cling