The most likely explanation for my disappointment at the lack of named graves lies in a shift of attitude and culture. I have grown used to seeing British soldiers named individually, insofar as possible, on graves and monuments from county towns to the proverbial corners of foreign fields – all thanks to the dedicated efforts of our War Graves Commission. Before the Commission was formed, it was not customary to provide marked graves for individual soldiers unless family members took the effort and expense. As an ex-officer, I think that every soldier, of whatever rank, who falls for his country deserves some kind of personal memorial. With that thought, I stood quietly for a few moments at Spicheren and spared a thought for every one of them who died on that bloody day over 140 years ago.
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