UK, World War II Civilian Deaths, 1939-1945

This database contains seven volumes listing civilians in the British Commonwealth and Empire who died during World War II and are commemorated on Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) memorials or buried in CWGC cemeteries. The Commission explains these records as follows:

“These volumes contain the Roll of Honour of those civilians, citizens of the Commonwealth and Empire, who were killed in the United Kingdom by enemy action during the 1939–1945 War, while engaged in household or in business activities, or at their posts as members of the Civil Defence Services. Their graves are scattered throughout the country.”

While most of these records are for the United Kingdom, they do include civilian deaths from around the world, including many lost at sea.

What You May Find in These Records

Entries vary, but they may include

• name
• age
• residence
• date and place of death
• parents
• spouse

Please note that the information in these registers reflects what had been reported to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission up to the date of publication. Since then further information may have come to light.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission was established in 1917 by Royal Charter to honor the men and women of the British Commonwealth who died in the World Wars. Cemeteries and grave headstones are erected by the Commission as part of that memorial. There are currently over 2,000 Commission cemeteries in about 150 countries.