At the cemetery

Cambridge has a very beautiful and poignant American war cemetery in nearby Madingley but as the remembrance theme is timed for Anzac day I thought I would investigate to see if we have war graves for Australian and New Zealand servicemen in the city. Fortunately, I have never had call to visit Cambridge City Cemetery but I discovered there are several areas dedicated to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. As East Anglia was home to large numbers of air bases during the second world war many of the casualties were airmen. This photo is taken in the Air Force Plot and a high proportion of the graves are of airmen from Australia and New Zealand. Over 100 Australian and New Zealand airmen took part in The Battle of Britain and 13,000 served in RAF Bomber Command between 1940 and the end of the war.
My lovely neighbour Hazel (sadly no longer with us) was a young woman during the war. She used to hear of airmen from abroad being killed and, hating the thought of them being buried without mourners (and no doubt with thoughts of her own husband fighting overseas), she would regularly go with her mother to attend funerals in Madingley - many times of young men she had never met.
A very blustery day - fortunately I only had to chase my poppy umbrella once but it did limit my options a bit!

[Netkonnexion]

Lovely picture. Interesting comments.

[Kayla]

Beautiful photo. Love the pop of red. i agree with netkonnexion very interesting, and sad:(
well done on the photo though:)

[Pat Knowles]

Very timely photo Judith so soon after Anzac day ! I only learnt of the contribution of Australian & New Zealand forces when my own family emigrated to NZ. I have been to the cemetery at Madingley quite a few years ago & it was beautifully maintained. What a lovely mission for your neighbour to think of doing !

[Judith Greenwood]

@happypat I will take Madingley some day as it's stunning.

[claire teuber]

I did not know about Anzac day. Thank you for the remembrance.

[Margaret Tryon]

Wonderful tribute shot.

[Nicholas Orwin]

Great photo, and great quote from the master.

[bernadette mcelligott]

Judith, this is a wonderful shot, so fitting and thanks so much for the story, it was very moving .

[Janna E.]

Wow, Judith, I love this shot! Of course, I love selective colouring but the contrast in this shot is especially powerful. Really love the mood! And extra wow for shooting an umbrella shot with this wind ;)

[Loveday Giles]

Inspired Judith, real photography!!

[Araminta]

Lovely set up and processing. Thank you for the info.

[Isla Wight]

Great set-up shot and very moving.

[Juliette Packham]

great shot - love the selective colouring and fantastic theme shot.

[Karen Sylvia]

Great for the theme. :) Love your selective coloring. :)

[wendy chapman]

Beauttiful photo. I love how you made it soft. It is a nice contrast to all of the angles and stone in the photo. Poignant story in this picture.

[Hee]

Beautifully composed....& great to know from you there's someone so kind & thoughtful like Hazel. God bless her.

[Kerri]

Beautiful composition

[Sabrina]

Wonderful tribute shot and composition!

[Muse]

Beautiful composition and editing! The atmosphere of the picture really puts you in a "remembrance" feeling!

[davina diggelman]

great shot!

[Barb Smith]

Beautiful theme shot. The poppy umbrella certainly adds a great pop. Thanks for the background info.

[Helen Moss]

A beautiful picture - I've never been to Cambridge cemetery either and didn't know it had these war graves. I'd like to go and take some photos in the American cemetery as it is so beautiful - probably would have to leave the dogs behind for that one though.

[Peggy Sirk]

Such a wonderful photo and commentary, Judith. So perfect for the theme. Beautifully photographed.