66 letters to remember by

A war grave is a minimal and sombre thing; the uniformity of the stone, the sanctioned letter forms and the rank, 'cap badge' and name only. No first names and usually no family messages . At the conception of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's work however, they permitted some families to add, for a fee, 66 characters, to form a more personal message of remembrance. Words directed against the state and the campaigns were often rejected, but these were permitted;

“O memories / that bless and burn / O barren gain / O bitter loss.”

“An only son / 'To what purpose / Is this waste?’ / S. Matt. 26.8”

“In dreams we see you / on the battle plain / wounded, calling in vain”

“If this is victory, then / let god stop all wars”