The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) has established specific criteria to commemorate war dead. Here's a summary of the key points:

1. Eligibility: The CWGC commemorates military personnel who died during the First and Second World Wars. This includes those who died in active service and those who died as a result of service-related injuries up until a certain cut-off date after each war.

2. Time Frames:

   • First World War: August 4, 1914, to August 31, 1921
   • Second World War: September 3, 1939, to December 31, 1947

3. Record and Identification:

   • The CWGC requires proof of service and the date of death to commemorate the individual, which usually involves official government and military records.

4. Types of Commemoration:

   • Burial: Those who are buried in a recognized CWGC cemetery have a standard headstone.
   • Memorials: For those who have no known grave, they are commemorated on memorials.

5. Non-military Personnel: In certain circumstances, civilians who died due to enemy action during the Second World War are also commemorated, particularly if they served in roles that supported the war effort, such as the Merchant Navy.

You can find more detailed information on the CWGC official website: CWGC Commemoration Policy.

If you are interested in the broader policies or specific inquiries about individual commemorations, the CWGC website provides extensive resources and contact options for further assistance.