PEOPLE in Barry have the chance to learn more about the county’s involvement in both the First and Second World Wars.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) will be offering a free guided tour at Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery on Tuesday, May 24.

During the tour – which will take place at 11am – attendees will be able to learn about the stories of the men and women who gave their lives.

There are more than 100 people buried in Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery from both World Wars, including one of the few female casualties in the Vale of Glamorgan. People from the Army, Navy and RAF are buried alongside war dead from the Merchant Navy and the fire service.

During the tour – which is being put on for War Graves Week – people will be able to learn more about the individuals buried in the cemetery, those who emigrated from Barry but returned to fight and the work that the CWGC staff and volunteers do to keep the memory of the fallen alive.

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There will also be a chance to learn about those who served in non-combatant roles such as healthcare, logistics, infrastructure and communications as part of the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times project.

Ian Howell, a CWGC volunteer, will lead the tours. He said: “We’re delighted that the CWGC’s War Graves Week will be taking place in Barry. For us at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, remembrance and the sharing and caring for World War heritage is a daily duty. Behind every name on a war grave or memorial in Barry is a human story waiting to be discovered and War Graves Week is the perfect opportunity to do just that.

“I’d encourage everyone in Barry to join one of the tours to reconnect with their local history to learn about the courageous ordinary people from our community who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”

To find out more about War Graves Week visit www.cwgc.org/wargravesweek and to book a free tour visit www.cwgc.org/tours