Update: Our York Memorial Benches Reach Souda Bay War Cemetery

Posted on April 27, 2026

In our previous post, we shared the story of two York benches on their journey to Souda Bay War Cemetery in Crete. You can read that post here.

We’re pleased to say they’ve now arrived.

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After travelling overland through mainland Greece, the benches have safely reached the cemetery and are now on site. These early photographs show them shortly after delivery, beginning to settle into their new surroundings.

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Souda Bay War Cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), an organisation responsible for the care and commemoration of 1.7 million Commonwealth servicemen and women who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. Their work ensures that these sites are preserved with dignity — providing places where people can remember, reflect, and connect with history.

While the journey itself is now complete, the role of the benches is just beginning. In a setting like this, their purpose is a quiet one — to offer visitors a place to sit, pause, and take in the significance of the surroundings.

Over time, these benches will become part of the landscape at Souda Bay, supporting moments of reflection for those who visit.

It’s always a privilege to contribute, in a small way, to places of such importance.

We’ll share further updates once the benches are fully in position within the cemetery grounds.