Interns

Do you want to be part of a significant moment in history?

The CWGC is now seeking applications from students aged 18 or over to join its Centenary Interns programme in 2018. They will join the Commission in the year that will mark a significant moment in world history - the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

Applications for 2018 now closed

The next wave of CWGC Interns will join the Commission in two groups, from April to July and July to November, in the year that will mark a significant moment in world history - the 100^th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

The Interns will be based in France and Belgium, where they will welcome visitors to some of the Commission’s most well-known sites, including Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium and the Thiepval Memorial in France.

Acting as ambassadors for the CWGC, they will help visitors to understand these iconic locations and the history behind them, from the perspective of people the same age as many of the war dead.

As well as undertaking personal research projects, they will have the opportunity to explore the historic battlefields of the Somme and the Ypres Salient.

The CWGC Intern programme launched in 2017, after UK Government funding for the new programme was provided from LIBOR funds.

The Commission’s first group of interns took part in international commemorations marking the Centenary of Passchendaele - the Third Battle of Ypres, and events marking the Commission’s centenary. They recently participated in the RBL Festival of Remembrance on 11 November.

CWGC Director General Victoria Wallace said: “This programme offers a fantastic chance for young people to engage personally, and with others, in the stories of those who fell in the First World War, on the battlefields of France and Belgium. It’s a fascinating experience, from which our first two cohorts of interns have benefitted hugely.

“We are delighted to have enthusiastic and friendly faces welcoming visitors to our cemeteries and memorials, and working with the public to find out more about what we at the CWGC do. And of course the interns have found themselves front and centre in many of the national commemorative events, a once in a lifetime chance.”

Terms and conditions:

The CWGC Centenary Interns programme is open to applicants (excluding employees of the CWGC & their families) who are about to, or have recently, completed a degree or further education course
Transport and accommodation will be provided
Applicants must be able to speak English to mother-tongue standard and have the right to live and work in the UK
Completed registration forms must be received by midnight on Wednesday 20 December
Some French language skills would be beneficial but are not essential
Registrants will be contacted for the next phase of the process on 22 December
Assessments for short-listed applicants will be carried out in Maidenhead on 23 January 2018

Applications for 2018 now closed

CWGC talks and tours

The interns will lead tours at a number of iconic CWGC sites – including Tyne Cot and Bedford House cemeteries near Ieper in Belgium, and the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme in France.

Visit our iconic sites

The first year of CWGC Centenary Interns have taken part in UK and other Government commemorations marking the Centenary of Passchendaele - the Third Battle of Ypres, joined events marking the Commission’s centenary as well as various national commemorations including the RBL Festival of Remembrance on 11 November. Find out more about their experience below.

Meet the CWGC Centenary Interns

The first wave of interns to join the CWGC’s centenary programme have been in post at some of the Commission’s most well-known sites since the beginning of June. This week, they joined commemorations at the CWGC Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial marking the 90th anniversary of its unveiling, and have been delivering presentations about the monument at the Ieper Visitor Information Centre.

First wave of CWGC interns share their experience

From helping visitors at some of the Commission’s most well-known sites to meeting the royal family at commemorations marking the Centenary of Passchendaele, the first wave of interns to join the CWGC’s centenary programme share their experience as their three-month stint with the Commission comes to an end.

CWGC intern marks 100th anniversary of her great great great uncle's death

The second wave of CWGC interns are now in post at the Commission’s Tyne Cot Cemetery and Thiepval Memorial. Emily Robins, from Dorset, is one of the six based in France. This week, she travelled to Belgium to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of her great great great uncle, Captain Alfred Charles Bratt, who is buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery.

CWGC intern Stewart Murphy shares his experience

From helping visitors at some of the Commission's most well-known sites to joining national commemorations including the RBL Festival of Remembrance on 11 November, the second of wave CWGC interns' stint with the Commission will be coming to an end this month. Stewart Murphy is one of six who have been based in France. Here he shares how the internship has helped him research his family history.