Continuing Collaboration: Recapping 2025’s University of Glasgow student volunteers programme

Continuing our relationship with the University of Glasgow, we welcomed five students to our Student Volunteer Guides programme this year. Here’s how they got on.

Commonwealth War Graves University of Glasgow Volunteers

Photo by Ella Skinner

Each year, we invite students from the University of Glasgow to volunteer with us. Overseen by Public Engagement Coordinator Scotland (South and West), our volunteers help guide visitors to our sites in and around Glasgow, conduct research into those in our care, and share the stories of those we commemorate.

As well as helping us engage the public with who we are, what we do, and the people in our care, our student volunteers also get to develop their public speaking, research, and other skills they can take away into their post-education lives.

With the programme now over for 2025, we spoke to our University of Glasgow volunteers to see how they got on.

Anna Dunn

“My time with Commonwealth War Graves was incredibly rewarding. The internship gave me the opportunity to gain experience in research, writing tours, and delivering workshops to young people, allowing them to find their own interests with the project.
 
“A particular highlight was the Anzac Day Dawn Service. Being able to participate was an enlightening experience. 

“I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the programme. The support from the Commonwealth War Graves team was incredible and allowed us to take our own creative direction with tours, while still making us feel secure every step of the way. The flexibility of the internship was great for the university and the summer. 

“I would absolutely recommend this internship to anyone else. It is a great opportunity to learn from others and develop skills in research, speaking, and group work.”

Jincong Peng

“Participating in the Commonwealth War Graves University of Glasgow Student Programme has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my studies. As a final-year Business and Management undergraduate, I was honoured to contribute to the Commonwealth War Graves’ mission through historical research, guided tours and public engagement.

“Our first event took place in a Commonwealth War Graves cemetery at midnight. Walking among the headstones in silence and speaking with British and Commonwealth veterans was both challenging and inspiring. Their reflections on service and sacrifice helped me appreciate the values of democracy and freedom that the CWGC preserves through its work.

“Throughout the programme, I conducted archival research using the CWGC Research Template, studying the lives of servicemen such as Flight Lieutenant David Cooper Mitchell of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Reading historical records and cross-checking data taught me precision, attention to detail and respect for accuracy.

“Delivering talks and heritage tours to schools and community groups strengthened my public speaking and organisational skills. Each session required careful preparation and adaptability to ensure information was presented clearly and respectfully. Although I did not have the chance to work directly with the digital media team, learning about their filming projects gave me insight into how modern storytelling supports remembrance.

“Commonwealth War Graves' professionalism, formality and respect for those who fought against fascism left a deep impression on me. The skills I developed in research, presentation and communication are highly transferable and will support my future career in both the United Kingdom and China.

“This experience has deepened my understanding of British history, Commonwealth contributions and the importance of preserving shared memory across generations.”

Ella Skinner

“My role as a Volunteer Speaker Intern for the Commonwealth War Graves provided me with a valuable opportunity to contribute towards preserving the legacy of those who served and sacrificed during periods of war and conflict. 

“From independently researching the lives of those in service, to collaboratively delivering historical tours, I have developed a stronger appreciation for remembrance, heritage, and the value of preserving military history. 

“A highlight of this experience was the opportunity to attend and speak at the ANZAC and Gallipoli Day Dawn Service this year. This event enhanced my ability to communicate with diverse audiences, alongside witnessing the local and international impact of the Commission’s work. 

“This opportunity has been a testament to the fact that remembrance is a continuous process, one which is enhanced by ensuring that individuals are not remembered as distant figures but are highlighted as people whose lives resonate with us in the present day. I am grateful to have contributed towards the work and efforts of the Commonwealth War Graves.”

Lottie Fountain

“As a Volunteer Speaker Intern with Commonwealth War Graves, I am grateful to have had the rare and wonderful opportunity to meet a variety of incredible people from the organisation - from respected community leaders to indispensable stonemasons. 

“I applied for the internship driven by a passion for exploring how historical memory informs contemporary politics and fosters a deeper understanding of humanity, and with a hope of deepening my understanding of the human impact of war and the importance of remembrance.

“In April, I spoke at the sunrise ANZAC Day Memorial Service, commemorating those who died during the Gallipoli campaign and in subsequent conflicts. The event was attended by descendants of the soldiers, as well as community and association representatives. It was a pleasure to engage with such esteemed members of the Commonwealth War Graves community and to honour the fallen ANZAC soldiers with them.

“In May, I had the privilege of giving MP Blair McDougall a tour of Eastwood Cemetery in Glasgow, presenting my own research on deceased soldiers from WWI and WWII. This gave me the chance to make use of dedicated sections of public libraries I had never previously engaged with and develop my own research skills beyond the university level. This has allowed me to gain hands-on experience in real heritage work and explore the possibilities that could lie beyond my history degree. 

“The next day, we attended the VE Day event at the French Institute in Edinburgh, where we were fortunate enough to meet senior Commonwealth War Graves officials, and learn about the diverse roles in the organisation and the range of expertise required to keep it running.

“It has been a pleasure to work with fellow students and meet the people involved in the fantastic work of Commonwealth War Graves. From public speaking to independent research, this internship has helped me to develop a range of new skills and gain insight into a possible career path in heritage work and commemoration.”

Laurie Barr

“The CWGC volunteer speaker internship was a brilliant experience for both my public speaking and research skills. 

“During the internship, my fellow students and I got opportunities to give tours of cemeteries to different people, such as MPs and members of the public. We were given the opportunity to tell the stories of fallen soldiers, learning how to research and gain insight into the lives of people who are often not very well known. 

“This gave an insight not just into the stories of soldiers but also the way that we remember them and the work that the CWGC does to protect them. One of the highlights of my time was the 80th anniversary of VE Day celebrations at the French Institute in Edinburgh. Whilst I was helping at the event, I got to learn a lot about how the CWGC works and how it cares for the graves and the people it remembers.

“The internship also gave me the chance to see how other cultures remember those who died in WW1 and WW2. One of the first things we were involved in was the ANZAC service in April, involving a 3 am start to the day to see the sunrise as we remembered fallen Australian and New Zealand soldiers. That was definitely an experience to remember! 

“This internship has developed my confidence, teamwork, and research skills, giving me an insight into a little-known, but very interesting, role.”

How can you support the University of Glasgow student volunteers programme?

All our projects and programmes rely on the generosity of our members and our supporters. 

Please consider donating today to help make a real difference to the remembrance and commemoration of Second World War servicemen.

With your support, we can continue to engage with the public across the country and abroad to inform them of our work in commemorating over 1.7 million men and women from across the Commonwealth.

Membership costs just £3 a month.

With that, not only do you get to support our volunteering, education, and outreach projects, but CWGF members also enjoy:

• Access to CWG Chats: a series of special online talks about the work of the Commission, as told by CWGC staff, as well as specialist subjects from renowned historians
• Priority access to our brilliant events
• A regular newsletter keeping you up to date with all the latest CWGF news
• A yearly impact report detailing our projects so you can really measure the effects your donations and support have on our work
• Your subscription to the Foundation Chronicle: our magazine detailing events, more Foundation insights, and interesting snippets of World War history
• A free CWGF calendar

Become a member today and help us keep the memories of the Commonwealth’s war dead alive for evermore.