A grave for a returned serviceman / myLot

Rockingham, Australia

June 29, 2025 8:06pm CST

In the cemetery where my parents and brother are buried, we came across this grave for Private Charles Pritchard, Army Postal Service who died aged 51. What we found a bit unusual was the plaque at the base of the grave which stated ‘Office of Australian War Graves, Alterations not permitted without approval’. I am not sure, but I think this means that the tombstone was placed and paid for by the Office, which searches out unmarked graves of returned servicemen and women. Private Pritchard died in 1958 which means he probably would have served in World War II. I knew people by the name of Pritchard from my town but maybe they couldn’t afford a tombstone at the time of Charles’ death.

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13 responses

Ron Rybs

@Ronrybs (21497)

• London, England

30 Jun

It is important to remember those who served their nations in time of war and gave up so much. Sad to survive the conflict and pass at a fairly young age

2 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382115)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jun

It's sad when people seem to die without being 'connected' to anyone, as in this case.

2 people like this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382115)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jun

@Ronrybs Isn't that nice? I don't know that that happened here.

1 person likes this

Anna

@LadyDuck (502491)

• Italy

30 Jun

I know that in the "military section" of the largest cemetery in Milan all the graves must be identical. The intention is to remember the men who served no matter their condition.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382115)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jun

That's a very good idea and a very fair solution.

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Amber

@AmbiePam (120840)

• United States

30 Jun

That’s pretty interesting.

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382115)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jun

It's a quite simple but very nice headstone and covering. Cemeteries can be fascinating places.

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Amber

@AmbiePam (120840)

• United States

30 Jun

@JudyEv I totally agree.

1 person likes this

rakski

@rakski (156506)

• Philippines

30 Jun

It’s good to know that the Office of Australian War Graves steps in to honor veterans who might otherwise go unrecognized.

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382115)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jun

I think it's a very good thing and only just and correct that this is done.

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rakski

@rakski (156506)

• Philippines

30 Jun

@JudyEv I totally agree with you

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Jessica

@JESSY3236 (22245)

• United States

1 Jul

That's cool that they do place tombstones on unmarked graves.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382115)

• Rockingham, Australia

4 Jul

I think it is a really nice thing to do.

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Shiva

@Shiva49 (28385)

• Singapore

30 Jun

I recall a saying "wars are started by the old and the young die". It is heartbreaking to see children suffering for no fault of theirs.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382115)

• Rockingham, Australia

1 Jul

Nowadays the co-called leaders are nowhere near the action.

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cherigucchi

@cherigucchi (15932)

• Philippines

30 Jun

You are a keen observer.

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382115)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jun

I like wandering through graveyards. It's amazing what you come across.

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OceanTiara

@RebeccasFarm (91297)

• United States

30 Jun

So yes WW2 not 1 right? RIP

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382115)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jun

He would have been born in 1907 so he was probably too young for WWI. The headstone didn't say which war.

Four Walls

@FourWalls (86713)

• United States

30 Jun

I looked it up online, and there are a number of individuals in that cemetery marked with “no headstone.” Something apparently kept many people from having headstones in that location. At any rate, a heartfelt salute to him for his service in World War II.

1 person likes this

Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382115)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jun

Quite possibly cost had a lot to do with it. Simple wooden crosses distinegrate over the years too. Many of our cemeteries have numbers of unmarked graves.

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Eva James

@wolfgirl569 (135791)

• Marion, Ohio

30 Jun

Glad they mark the graves.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382115)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jun

It's very sad to see unmarked graves.

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Fiacre Banks

@xFiacre (14789)

• Ireland

30 Jun

@judyev Can’t life be so sad at times.

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Judy Evans

@JudyEv (382115)

• Rockingham, Australia

30 Jun

My great-uncle came back with shell-shock but he did have a family to come home to. I have a friend who is in a group searching and looking after graves of aboriginals who served during the war. That's a worthwhile cause too.

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