War Grave?

[BigT]

On a recent holiday in Dorset I visited a country churchyard and spotted the distict shape of three " war graves". As is my normal practice I went over to pay my respects. Two of the graves were definitely serviceman, the other was a civilian who had died in 1976. Where the regimental badge would normally be was a stylised RIP. I am sure this individual deserved to be honoured but I was always under the impression that the CWGC were very strict on who could used the CWGC designed stone and lettering. Any views?

[Terry Denham]

The design is out of copyright and can be (and is) copied by anyone.

CWGC never got stressed by people copying the design and such copies are numerous.

[chrislock]

Many ex soldiers choose this style of headstone, complete with their old reimental badge when they are called to that great drill square in the sky and Terry's comment reference the CWGC is sound!

Chris.

[BigT]

Fair enough. Its just that several years ago, my regimental association wanted to mark the lost grave of one of our VCs, I seem to remember we had to get permission to use the design!