A BOURNEMOUTH resident has expressed his disdain at the untended servicemen graves in cemeteries.

Robert Wilson, of Ravine Road, claims the council are being ‘selective’ when it comes to remembering British history.

Mr Wilson said he has been desperate for the graves to receive recognition and attention from the council and he has taken matters into his own hands.

He said: “I have found myself alone in recent years planting way over 110 graves of our servicemen and women with spring flowers in BCP cemeteries. It has taken me hundreds of hours in all weathers and at my own expense. These graves would otherwise have received no recognition or attention.”

While servicemen and women headstones are provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), Mr Wilson said not all graves are maintained by them.

A spokesperson for CWGC said: “I would confirm that the BCP Council has responsibility for the maintenance of grounds in these (Bournemouth) cemeteries including the scattered war graves.”

Mr Wilson added: “No council area servicemen’s graves are maintained in Boscombe (Bournemouth East) or Wimborne Road Cemetery. The official military cemeteries within the BCP Council area are kept immaculate by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission gardener and every serviceman has his rosebush in flower presently. However, there are far more servicemen and women buried outside the margins of the CWGC Cemetery.

“The council has chosen for some years now not to honour something that should have been, without a doubt, a great honour to undertake.”

BCP Council’s cabinet member for environment, Cllr Felicity Rice, said: “We respect the effort this gentleman has gone to and his regard for our fallen servicemen and women. The formal war graves in each of our cemeteries are maintained by the CWGC while other graves within our Cemeteries of Servicemen and Women are maintained as part of our overall works programme.

“We have had to temporarily cut back on the level of maintenance in each of our cemeteries due to the Covid-19 pandemic and associated limits to our staffing and resources. Since the reopening of our cemeteries, we have been working hard to return to normal levels of maintenance, but it may be some time until we can complete the cutting cycle and return to our usual standards.”

Mr Wilson said also witnessed the lack of attention servicemen graves are receiving in Christchurch and Parkstone Cemeteries which are also maintained by the council.

On this issue, Cllr Rice esaid: “Christchurch Cemetery features additional complications as it has now been designated a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI), which requires a compromise between maintenance and environmental mowing. Environmental considerations are also behind our commitment to ‘raking off’ grass cuttings in each of our cemeteries to promote wildflower, with the ultimate aim of reducing course grasses and encouraging native flora.

“In all areas, our aim continues to be to ensure dignity and respect for both the bereaved and for the deceased.”

In order to improve the appearance and maintenance of numerous local servicemen and women graves, Mr Wilson has proposed the implementation of rosebushes planted on the graves.

He said: “Scarlet roses for the Army and Home Guard, blue roses for the Navy and sky blue roses for the RAF. The whole scheme could be done at very little cost. If the council does not want the honour of planting and maintaining the rosebushes, then I would suggest the council supply the rosebushes and an existing group of interested residents will plant and maintain them.”