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Surrey Day at Brookwood American Cemetery
Brookwood American Cemetery hosted a successful event on Surrey Day 2025 on “How World War II Shaped Surrey.” More than 50 visitors explored how the Second World War influenced a First World War cemetery Saturday, May 10, gaining a new perspective on its significance.
“Surrey Day was a fantastic opportunity for us to engage with the local community,” said Richard Arseneault, Brookwood American Cemetery’s superintendent. “It’s important that visitors not only remember the sacrifices made by those who served but also understand how this cemetery reflects the broader history of both world wars.”
A series of activities
The event at the American Battle Monuments Commission’s site featured hourly guided tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. GMT, offering visitors a deeper understanding of how the history of World War II shaped the cemetery, which is dedicated to American service members who died in World War I. The tours, titled “Find out what impact the Second World War had on a First World War Cemetery,” allowed guests to explore the cemetery’s historical significance and its connection to both world wars.
In addition to the tours, the cemetery created a child-friendly activity around ABMC’s Junior Guide program under its gazebo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., providing interactive activities for families. These educational activities helped young visitors connect with the cemetery’s history in an engaging way, making the site’s stories more accessible for all ages.
Brookwood American Cemetery is located in Surrey in the southwest of London. It is the one of two American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries in the U.K. but the only World War I site. It is one of nine military cemeteries located within a much larger complex maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Brookwood American Cemetery contains the graves of approximately 500 U.S. military dead. In addition, approximately 600 names are inscribed on its walls of the missing in the chapel.
The American Battle Monuments Commission’s mission is to honor the service of the U.S. armed forces by creating and maintaining memorial sites, offering commemorative services, and facilitating the education of their legacy to future generations.
