Q&A ยท 1:40:30-1:42:19

The Unknown Warrior and overseas war graves

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains overseas graves; the participants understand the Unknown Warrior's anonymity to be deliberate.

Question

Has Britain tried to identify the Unknown Warrior, and who maintains overseas military cemeteries?

Short answer

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains overseas graves; the participants understand the Unknown Warrior's anonymity to be deliberate.

Notes

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains overseas graves, including cemeteries with Commonwealth dead. Clarke recalls using its grave-location app during a visit to Narvik. Both participants understand the Unknown Warrior's identity to have been deliberately left unresolved, without presenting a documented investigation. Anonymity allows the grave to represent many families' losses. Identification would change that commemorative role. Repatriation is contrasted with British burial near where people fell.