War Graves Week invites people in Harrogate to discover the stories behind war graves in their local communities and share their own connections to the World Wars.
War graves in Harrogate contain personal stories of First and Second World War service hidden in plain sight.
Each site forms part of a global network spanning more than 150 countries, maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
- Tours will take place on 20th and 23rd May at Stonefall Cemetery
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is inviting people in Harrogate to discover the human stories behind war graves in their local communities and share their own histories this May, as War Graves Week (16-24 May 2026) returns with a nationwide programme of events and activities.
Across Harrogate, extraordinary war stories are hidden in plain sight – etched into headstones in cemeteries and memorial sites that many people pass every day without a second glance.
Behind each stone is a life, a family, and a story of service and sacrifice, forming part of a global legacy spanning more than 150 countries and territories.
This War Graves Week, the CWGC is encouraging people in Harrogate to discover the remarkable stories on their doorstep and, if they have a story of their own to tell, to share it as part of the CWGC’s global storytelling platform, For Evermore.
At Stonefall Cemetery the CWGC cares for over 1000 war graves these include the graves of local people and those from across the Commonwealth.
One example is Flight Sergeant Basil Furness Snell DFM, a former pupil of Harrogate Grammar School, who was killed in a flying accident.
Another story is that of Sergeant Joseph Raymond Pollon of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who was killed in a training accident at the age of 17, just a few weeks after arriving in Britain.
As part of War Graves Week, free tours will take place on the 20th and 23rd May at Stonefall Cemetery offering local people the opportunity to learn more about the history in their area.
Elizabeth Smith, Public Engagement Coordinator at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission said:
War Graves Week is an opportunity for people to see familiar places in a new light.
At Stonefall Cemetery there are stories of courage, loss and resilience that are part of the community’s history yet often go unnoticed in everyday life.
We are encouraging everyone to explore local CWGC sites in the area and share their own stories to connect Harrogate to our shared global history.
War Graves Week runs from 16th to 24th May 2026. Local people can get involved by visiting their nearest CWGC site, attending an event, discovering stories in their area, or sharing their own story online.
To find out more, explore events near you, or share a story, visit www.cwgc.org/war-graves-week
