Hi Susan: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) website includes both British (referred to as United Kingdom, though British eg British Army would be usual) and other Commonwealth wardead, and has the options of choosing "Merchant Navy" or "Civilian" as well as Army, Air Force or Navy, or Unknown. I think most of the civilian deaths (c60,000?) relate to WWII. As the website points out, the "Nationality" choice (eg Australian) depends on the nationality of the forces he (she) was serving in, regardless of wher he was born. The CWGC website includes the Tower Hill Memorial, London for c36,000 in the Merchant Navy & Fishing Fleets with no burial: place; for WWI c12,000 (out of 17,000) and WWII c24,000 (out of 32,000). http://www.cwgc.org/search/cemetery_details.aspx?cemetery=90002&mode=1 "Empire" rather than "Commonwealth" was widely used in WWII; eg the Empire Air Training Scheme. Smuts suggested "British Commonwealth" in 1917, though the term Commonwealth is now used. The term comes from the Parliamentary period under Cromwell in British history between Charles I & Charles II, and can also mean the Commonwealth of Australia. It is also the official title of some American states eg the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Yours, John Wilson PS: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission took over responsibility for the neglected South African (Boer) War graves in South Africa of British & colonial soldiers in September 2005. > I am new to this list and wondered if anyone can help with a query > about "Commonwealth War Dead". If you are listed as "Commonwealth > War Dead" does it mean you were from the commonwealth or does it > include english soldiers as well? >

On 27 Apr 2006, at 11:54 AM, John Wilson wrote: > the term Commonwealth is now used. The term comes > from the Parliamentary period under Cromwell in British history between > Charles I & Charles II, and can also mean the Commonwealth of > Australia. It is also the official title of some American states eg the > Commonwealth of Massachusetts. > > Yours, John Wilson Commonwealth is a biblical 'term' ! it appears twice in KJV; 2Mac.13 1 [14] So when he had committed all to the Creator of the world, and exhorted his soldiers to fight manfully, even unto death, for the laws, the temple, the city, the country, and the commonwealth, he camped by Modin: Eph.2 1 [12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Obviously the 'term' indicating a non-hierarchial society had great appeal to Puritans, who set about destroying religious artworks, including the liturgy. We should remember that the King James Bible is overtly propaganda. King James believed in "Divine Right of Kings" and objected stridently to the Geneva Bible, in which the Greek presbuteros was translated as 'Elder', rather than 'priest', and the Greek Ecclesios was translated as 'Congregation', rather than 'Church'. Obviously a military organisation needs to be rigidly hierarchial. Generals decide strategy and issue orders, and privates have to apply themselves to their officers orders, regardless ot the danger to their person. King Charles I attempted to merge the Calvanist Church of Scotland into the Episcopal Church of England, so we had to chop off his head. Howsomever, the Commonwealth was incredibly dull as Puritan values ruled. We had no fun ! So we joyfully celebrate the Restoration annualy on Oak-Apple day. Theatre, music, and festivals returned to England ! Charles II ruled to some extent without submitting to parliament, using cash advanced by the French monarch, but the monarchy never really achieved the ultimate authority of the Norman Conquerors ! HM Governor General may be the Commander-in-chief, but if he attempted action contra-indicated by the Parliamentary government, Her Majesty's Prime Minister would immediatly 'request' the termination of his commission ! He may take the advice of Sir John KERR, and dismiss the Prime-Minister. In this case, Kerr believed the PM did not enjoy 'Supply', and should have stepped down after calling an election. This precept was, and remains controversial. The "Anglo-Saxon" government overwhelmed by William of Normandy at the Battle of Hastings, was much flatter, and the Witan, a precursor of parliament, exercised pre-eminent authority. The Eldermen who were "elected" to the Witan evolved to Earldoms The "New" earls were Norman Barons off course.