People urged to share personal World War stories before they are lost forever

People in the Inverness area are being urged to share their stories of men and women who gave their lives in the World Wars before they are lost forever.

A new free stories portal has been launched by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission ahead of Remembrance commemorations.

The new portal 'For Evermore: Stories of the Fallen' enables people to add stories, content and images of those who served and died in the First and Second World Wars

People up and down the country are being asked to send the stories of men and women who fought and died in the two wars to a new story sharing platform developed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) to preserve the memory of the Fallen.

'For Evermore: Stories of the Fallen' is free for anyone to use and will collect personal stories, videos and photos of the fallen who fought and died for British and Commonwealth forces in the conflicts.

The CWGC is urging people to come forward with stories about a relative, loved one or someone they may have researched who is commemorated at one of its cemeteries and memorials around the world.

The organisation commemorates almost 1.7 million individuals at 23,000 locations in more than 150 countries and territories.

Claire Horton CBE, Director of the CWGC, said: “The launch of For Evermore marks an incredibly important milestone in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's mission.

"For Evermore will provide an opportunity for future generations to connect with their own history and learn more about those who served during the World Wars.

“By collating these stories in what will become the definitive resource of the stories of those who died in the world wars, we have created an enduring tribute to the men and women from across the Commonwealth who gave their lives, and we ensure that they will never be forgotten.”

Michelle Jennings, Director of the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation, said: "For Evermore will enable the Commonwealth War Graves Foundation to fulfil our mission of ensuring those who fought and died during the world wars are never forgotten.

"It is only through the kind support of many generous donors that we will be able to keep these stories alive in such an engaging way. We are deeply grateful to the Post Office Remembrance Fellowship for their support in enabling this project to be launched."

For Evermore has been funded by a grant to the CWGF from the Post Office Remembrance Fellowship (PORF).

A PORF spokesperson said: “We are delighted that our support has enabled this ambitious project to be developed.

"For Evermore will engage a wide range of people and encourage them to discover and contribute to the stories which encompass our shared history, providing a living memorial to the men and women of the General Post Office who died in the two World Wars.”

To get involved and find out more about For Evermore: Stories of the Fallen, please visit: www.cwgc.org/stories

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