Reigate & Banstead Borough Council is very proud of the part played by residents in the first world war and we are keen that their stories are remembered. If you have a relative who fought, or who is buried in one of the borough’s war graves or played an interesting role on the home front, we’d like to hear from you so we can learn more about them and their remarkable stories. We’d like to collate as many stories as possible to create a legacy for future generations.

Caring for the graves of the fallen

Following our project to restore the borough’s war graves last year, over the last few months local schools, uniform groups, organisations and residents, have been helping us to look after them, so they are kept neat and tidy over the coming years.

Julie Boden, Head of History and Sociology at Dunottar School explains why they got involved: “We are delighted to be involved in the Reigate & Banstead Remembers World War I 'Adopt-a-grave' scheme. Not only does it allow students to commemorate the First World War but it also enables them to be involved in a community-based project and gives them the opportunity to engage with some local history. As a school, we are particularly pleased to be working alongside Reigate School through the sharing of responsibility for a section of Reigate cemetery.'

Volunteers are still needed to help care for war graves at certain sites, so if you’d like to get involved, please contact us to find out more.

Commemorative events - tell us about yours

Our programme of commemorative events for Reigate & Banstead Remembers continues in 2015, from a special film programme at the Harlequin and show-and-tell events to remembrance events and historical talks.

We would also like to hear from you if you or your local organisation is putting on a commemorative event so that we can help to promote it through our Reigate & Banstead Remembers publicity.

Get in touch

If you have a story to tell, want to help with our 'Adopt-a-grave' scheme or tell about your events, please contact leisure.services@reigate-banstead.gov.uk or call 01737 276700. For more information visit our Reigate & Banstead Remembers webpage.