Talks take place on Thursday afternoons, starting at 2pm, and usually take place in the Lecture Hall, Rewley House, 1 Wellington Square, Oxford OX1 2JA. These are free for Oxford u3a members but you are welcome to attend as a guest for a donation of £5 (£2 for members of all other U3As).
Most talks are recorded on Zoom for the benefit of those Oxford u3a members who are unable to attend Rewley House.
In the event of adverse weather conditions, please telephone Rewley House (01865 270360), to enquire whether the talk has been cancelled.
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Dick Richards – ‘The Road to Peace is Paved with Headstones’. An Introduction to The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
16th November 2023 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Dick in the last eight years has become a volunteer with The Commission and as an approved speaker delivers talks to local community groups, history associations and schools. He is also a guide at his local CWGC cemetery at Botley in Oxford.
As we commemorate the many anniversaries of The Great War and The Second World War there has been much focus on remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This talk highlights the role played by those far-sighted men and women who established an organisation, now known as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, so that remembrance of their sacrifice will endure in perpetuity. We will look at the architectural and physical characteristics of the cemeteries and memorials as well as the underlying principles that govern their design.
In addition, we will have an introduction to the Commission’s presence in Oxfordshire and the surrounding area.