Tending the graves of Britain's war dead

Some corner of foreign field that is forever England

By PM reporter Gillian Hargreaves

To tend a forgotten corner that is forever England.

At least that's the idea; but last year gardeners working for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission found themselves far from forgotten.

In fact, an almighty row broke out when 77 gardeners, who look after the graves of first and second world war servicemen, were told their overseas allowances were to be cut.

Public outrage

The allowances work out at about £6000 a year, and with basic pay between £11,000 and £13,000, many felt they wouldn't be able to continue their work and provide for their families.

The public outrage was huge. The government had to step in.

Now an independent review panel is looking at the pay structure for the gardeners and will report later this year, probably in the spring.

Few remember

But who are the men who decide to move overseas and maintain the graves of two world wars few of us can now remember?

Gillian Hargreaves met up with one gardener who tends three small graveyards in Belgium.

Mark Dineen has worked for the war graves commission for eight years.