In what must be one of the most profound acts of selflessness, a group of volunteers has begun repairing the headstones of around 200 babies and small children at a north-west London Jewish cemetery. The majority of these weather-worn gravestones found at Willesden Jewish Cemetery are the final resting place of young victims of the First World War or the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918 to 1920. During the first of several day-long workshops, 11 volunteers worked alongside a team of staff to re-erect and secure loose headstones, clean the memorials and tidy up the surrounding gardens.
Volunteer Colin Frey, 63, told the that the project had “particularly resonated” with him. “I had a brother who died at 10 months, and it is something that isn’t talked about.” “These graves are over 100 years old, but it is still important that they are marked, cleaned up and can look as good as they can.
” Repairing headstones of babies and children at Willesden Jewish Cemetery (Photo: United Synagogue) Describing the work as “very physical”, Colin, who lives in Barnet, said: “I have cleaned family gravestones, but with this project, I was straightening them up, working with a hammer and chisel. It was very different to just scrubbing a headstone. The work was very impactful and has already made a big difference to the area.
” Part of the work involved placing plaques next to previously unmarked graves or where the wording on a gravestone had eroded. “The plaque next to the h.
