Devon Fab Four Receive Volunteering Award for Outstanding Work

Four volunteers from Devon who care for war heroes’ graves have received a prestigious award from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

Owen Chidgey, Steven Drake, Andy Howlett and Darren Howlett, who all volunteer for the CWGC, were each given a Spotlight Award and received a letter of congratulation from CWGC’s Director General, Claire Horton.

As Eyes On, Hands On volunteers they are responsible for monitoring and cleaning 236 graves and memorials in Torquay Cemetery. They carve time out on weekends and evenings when their day jobs allow to ensure the service men and women are remembered. Andy explained how they also research the individuals, “we think that it’s important not just to clean and tend to a headstone but to build a bond with the person, the name, the face and to learn of the story and circumstances behind each grave we tend to.”

In May, they supported War Graves Week, the annual opportunity to shine a spotlight on the graves and memorials of Commonwealth service personnel around the world by leading tours for members of the public.

Andy, Darren and Steven have personal connections to the CWGC, as relatives who fought in the First World War have no known graves and are commemorated on the Menin Gate and Pozieres Memorial.

Owen recently celebrated his 19th birthday but joined as a volunteer aged just 18 making him one of the youngest CWGC volunteers in the country. The team highlight volunteering is for all ages and hope others are inspired to learn more. 

CWGC’s Director General, Claire Horton, said: “I am delighted to share the news of our Volunteer special recognition, Spotlight Awards, in Volunteers’ Week, which is a time to both celebrate the outstanding contribution of our volunteers, and to showcase their work to inspire others who might be thinking of volunteering.

CWGC's UK-wide network of dedicated volunteers, absolutely epitomise our values and continually support our mission of keeping the memories of the fallen alive through a wide range of roles, committing hours of their time and energy freely, with passion and boundless enthusiasm. I and CWGC staff teams everywhere, are enormously grateful for their contribution. We want our volunteers to know how valued and appreciated they are, and Volunteers Week gives us a chance to