Anglo-Celtic Connections

In Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries worldwide, the Cross of Sacrifice stands as a towering presence, its white stone form reaching skyward in solemn remembrance of fallen servicemen and women. Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield in 1918, this monument was conceived to honour the supreme sacrifice of those who gave their lives in service of the Commonwealth. Yet, as we approach this symbol today, we must ask: Does this Christian emblem represent all who made the ultimate sacrifice?

Consider Edward Cohen, a Jewish soldier whose final resting place may lie beneath a cross-marked headstone as an unknown soldier, his identity – and faith – lost to time. He represents countless others whose religious and cultural identities differ from the Christian symbolism that dominates these sacred spaces. Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, atheists, and those of other faiths fought and died alongside their Christian comrades, their blood mingling in the same soil.

While meaningful to many, the Cross of Sacrifice perpetuates a default Christian stance that no longer, and never has, reflected the diverse tapestry of the Commonwealth’s military heritage. This is not about diminishing the significance of Christian sacrifice or erasing history—it’s about evolving our commemorative practices to honour all who served, regardless of their faith.

Through its Non-Commemoration Programme, the Commission has committed to ensuring that all who died in the world wars are remembered equally, regardless of where they were from, where they died, or how they died. This initiative shows that the CWGC can and will address historical inequities when recognized.

This same spirit of inclusion and equality should now extend to the Commission’s approach to religious symbolism. While the CWGC has long prided itself on equal treatment in death, regardless of rank, race, or religion – evident in the uniform headstones and meticulous maintenance of graves – the dominant Christian symbolism in these cemeteries suggests an implicit hierarchy of remembrance that contradicts this very principle.

A modern approach might involve creating new central monuments incorporating multiple faith traditions or abstract symbols of sacrifice and service. Some might argue that changing these historic sites risks diminishing their heritage value, but our war graves are not museum pieces – they are living memorials that should speak to all who visit them, regardless of faith.

The Commission already provides different religious symbols on individual headstones where faith is known. However, the default remains Christian for the unknown soldiers and in the broader symbolic landscape of these cemeteries. This practice requires reassessment in an era where we better understand and respect religious diversity.

Creating more inclusive memorial spaces doesn’t mean removing existing crosses, but rather supplementing them with new elements that acknowledge the multi-faith nature of service and sacrifice. This could involve adding complementary monuments or developing new designs for future cemeteries that better reflect the Commonwealth’s religious diversity.

As we continue to honour those who gave their lives in service, let us ensure our commemorative practices reflect the diversity of those who served. For Edward Cohen and countless others who lie in these hallowed grounds, we owe it to their memory to ensure that our monuments of remembrance speak for all who served. The greatest respect we can pay to our fallen is remembering them as they were – in all their diversity of belief and background, united in service and sacrifice.

Today I’m remembering my great uncle Edward Cohen, a Royal Fusiliers second Lieutenant who died on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele. His body was not identified. He’s commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

The photo is of an unidentified second Lieutenant with the Royal Fusiliers buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery, near the grave of another named Royal Fusiliers second Lieutenant, one of four named in the war diary killed on the same day. It could be him.

There are three feature articles in the December issue.

In Get More From Your DNA Test, genetic genealogist Debbie Kennett shares 10 tips on how to use the
latest DNA tools to work with your matches and grow your family tree.
I was a bit surprised by the first of these, “Build a Tree.” Build your tree back on all your ancestral lines for about five or six generations. It’s important to include collateral branches in your tree and to try wherever possible to trace those lines down to the present day.”
So, how many people can build their tree back five or six generations? They’re probably less motivated to take a DNA test if they can. Nevertheless, Debbie’s article offers sound advice, notably pointing out the value of X and Y DNA.

Second up among the feature articles is Researching British Home Children, the story of Patrick Boyes who was happily settled with farmer JP Brunet in Chichester, about 90 miles north-east of Ottawa. A series of his letters were located in Liverpool that give his positive view of his situation. The article mentions “Home Children Canada (HCC) cautions against taking the content of letters written by Home Children at face value, because they were often vetted. But the organization’s president, Lori Oschefski, says the consistency of Patrick’s comments suggests he might have been one of the lucky ones.” Given the generally negative view of young immigrant settlement given by HCC, not one that has any firm statistical basis, and without consideration of their likely fate had he or she remained in the UK, it is refreshing to see acknowledgement of a favourable settlement.

Recording Revolution, by regular contributor Jonathan Scott, “reveals how the arrival of recorded sound changed the music
industry and made many of our ancestors avid listeners.” The focus is the early history.

The month’s installment in Jonathan Scott’s continuing Around Britain series features Northamptonshire. It lists of some free smaller local online resources, such as a “Calendar of wills relating to the counties of Northampton and Rutland : proved in the court of the Archdeacon of Northampton, 1510 to 1652” available from the Internet Archive.

I read the issue through Libby and the Ottawa Public Library.

Miscellaneous items I found of interest during the week.

Ancestry has added the England, Battle of Trafalgar Crew Lists, 1805-1806 which contains 18,840 items. It draws on the freely available TNA collection Nelson, Trafalgar and those who served.

Remembrance Day project — We Are the Dead — for the last time.

The Indigenous Treaty Map
A comprehensive historical overview of land treaties “negotiated” between Indigenous Nations and the Canadian federal government (and previously, with colonial governments and the British Crown).

New Zealand, Directories, 1866-1933
Ancestry added 5,075,688 records on 6 November — a new collection.

Thanks to this week’s contributors: Ann Burns, Anonymous,  Brenda Turner, Christine Jackson, Glenn Wright, John Webb, P McRae, Tara Grant, Unknown.

Women’s Land Army Service Cards 1939-1950
5,907 new service card records for the Women’s Land Army. Over 200,000 served from 1939-1950. Findmypast now has  139,247 cards in its collection.

British Rolls Of Honour and Nominal Rolls, First World War
There are 5,397 new images and transcriptions to discover, with records from Deptford, Southwark and the Library Association’s Roll of Honour. The total collection is 316,915 with names from

39th (Deptford) Divisional Artillery 1915-1918
Activities of The British Community in Argentina During The Great War 1914-1919
Birmingham Employers Roll of Honour 1914-1918
Board Of Trade Rolls of Honour 1914-1918
Bradford Pals 1914-1918
Coventry Roll of Honour 1914-1918
Edinburgh Pals 1914-1918
Essex, Clacton Roll Of Honour 1914-1918
Etonians Who Fought In The Great War 1914-1919
Glasgow Pals 1914-1918
Honourable Women of The Great War, 1914-1918
Jersey Roll of Honour 1914-1918
Kempston Servicemen 1914-1920
Leicestershire and Rutland, Soldiers Died 1914-1920
Liverpool Pals 1914-1918
Lloyds of London Memorial Roll 1914-1919
London County Council Record of War Service 1914-1918
London Library
London Stock Exchange Memorial Roll 1914-1918
Manchester City Battalions Book of Honour
Manchester Employers’ Roll of Honour 1914-1916
Manchester University Roll of Service (Pub 1922)
Oldham Pals 1914-1920
Oldham Pals Roll of Honour
Oxford University Roll of Service (2nd Edition, 1916)
Oxford University Roll of Service (3rd Edition, 1920)
Plymouth and Devonport World War One Rolls of Honour 1914-1919
Railwaymen Died in the Great War
Royal Artillery Commemoration Book
Royal Fusiliers, Stockbrokers’ Battalion 1914-1918
Southwark
South Down Battalions, Royal Sussex Regiment, 1914-1918
The 23rd (Service) Battalion Royal Fusiliers (First Sportsman’s): A Record
The Birmingham City Battalions Book of Honour
The Lancashire Fusiliers: The Roll of Honour of the Salford Brigade
Trade Union Members, Service & Casualties 1914-1918
University of Aberdeen Roll of Service in The Great War 1914-1919
University of Durham Roll of Service 1914-1919
University of Edinburgh Roll of Honour 1914-1919
University of London Officers’ Training Corps Roll of War Service 1914-1919
University of St Andrew’s Roll of Honour & Roll of Service 1914-1919.

A search for keyword Canad* finds 1,651 records.

First World War Sketchbook of Private Henry Page
Sketches depicting scenes from his time serving with the 2/24th Battalion, London Regiment during the First World War. Of their time.

TheGenealogist announces the release of a British military collection,  a smorgasbord of records with dates from the mid-16th to mid-20th centuries.

● Naval and Military Despatches Vol. IV-VI (1915 – 1916)
● The British Roll of Honour 1837-1887
● Return of The Names of The Officers in The Army 1811-1816
● Surrey Musters, Part I-III 1544-1684
● The Army List for 1881
● The Army List for September 1933
● The East-India Register and Directory, 1811
● The East-India Register and Army List, 1842
● The Last Post, Roll of Officers (Naval, Military or Colonial) who fell in South Africa
1899-1902 (also includes War Correspondents and Nurses who lost their lives)
● The Muster-Roll of Angus, South African War, 1899-1902 (with 700 portraits)
● A List of the Flag Officers and Other Commissioned Officers of His Majesty's Fleet,
1826
● List of Officers of the Navy of the United States and of the Marine Corps, 1775-1900
● Naval Worthies of Queen Elizabeth's Reign 1562-1643
● Navy – Pensions, Compensations, and Allowances
● The Royal Navy List for 1901
● The Navy List for 1902
● The Navy List for April 1915
● The Navy List for April 1932
● The Navy List for July 1915
● The Navy List for January 1929
● Arbroath & District Roll of Honour 1939-1945

With over half a million names, you may find mention of someone in your family tree and FAN club who served with British and colonial forces throughout history.

On Saturday, settle in for BIFHSGO and OGS Ottawa Branch meetings.

BIFHSGO has a hybrid meeting, starting at 9 am with I’m Sorry—We Don’t Have Your Grandfather’s War Records… presented by Seana (Shea) Jones. She will cover the diverse array of artifacts, documents, photographs, and personal accounts that comprise the archival treasures of military museums. particularly Garrison Petawawa Military Museums where she is Collections Manager.

BIFHSGO President Dianne Brydon will present Rebuilding A Life After Service in the Canadian Forestry Corps, With Help from the Soldier’s Settlement Board, at 10 a.m.

There’s more detail here.

Whether you attend the BIFHSGO meeting in person at Knox Presbyterian Church (Lisgar & Elgin) , or online, you won’t have to travel far to attend the OGS Ottawa Branch online presentation.

At 1 pm, in Paul Durand’s talk on the Military History Research Centre Canadian War Museum (Ottawa), find out about the research methods, tools and resources used by the Military History Research Centre of the Canadian War Museum to help people learn more about family members via their military service.

There’s more detail here.

Penny Allen, a Canadian genealogist living in London, has posted Second World War—Canadian Army Newsreel on her UK to Canada Genealogy blog. These Second World War newsreels were produced by the Canadian Army Film Unit and recorded at Merton Park Studios, London, England.

I’m thrilled to be able to give the blog post a shout-out. Penny is an exceptional representative for Canadian genealogy in the UK, and has been particularly helpful to me in researching one of my London ancestral branches. I’m not the only one.

Between 25 October and 6 November, the total number of results in the Full-Text Search at FamilySearch Labs for the 500 years ending in 2024 increased by 103 items to 391,825,270. All changes were for the USA.

If you haven’t tried it, check out this YouTube video by Dana Leeds demonstrating it live — including the quirks.

From 7 to 11 November, Findmypast offers free access to all records so anyone can delve into the billions of records and historical newspapers, including the exclusive 1921 Census for England and Wales for the first time.

http://www.findmypast.com

Ancestry® opens its global military record collections until 12 November to recognize Veteran’s Week and Remembrance Day.

http://www.ancestry.ca

Also.

The Royal Canadian Legion’s virtual POPPY DROP is projected on the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill from 6:30pm to 9:30pm until 11 November. 117,000 virtual poppies continually cascade downward representing Canada’s fallen in all wars.

The RCL’s Virtual Wall of Honour and Remembrance is a 2 ½ hour photo montage of Canadian Veterans who served and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. For 2 seconds, a photo with a diseased veteran’s name and service info is displayed.

The Archives of Ontario holds marriage registrations and the indexes (where they exist) from 1801 to 1942.

Ancestry indexes and makes images of the original record available as part of their Canadian collection. Free access is available at all Ontario public libraries.

In January, Ancestry updated the collection to 1939. It’s now available up to 1942. Wartime was a good time for marriages.

For more details on these marriage records, start by consulting https://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/tracing/marriage_registrations.aspx