Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
1 January to 31 December 2024
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Charity Number: 1196849
Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity
Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
1 January to 31 December 2024
Chair’s Foreword .................................................................................................................................... 3 Report of the Trustees ........................................................................................................................... 5 Financial Statements ........................................................................................................................... 11 Notes to the Financial Statements ...................................................................................................... 13
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Chair’s Foreword
I am very pleased, for the first time as Chair, to present the Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts for the Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity (NRWGC). These cover the period 1 January to 31 December 2024, inclusive.
It was my great privilege to take over from Dr Zack White as Chair of the NRWGC in September 2024. I wish firstly to pay tribute to Zack, both for his instrumental role in establishing the Charity back in 2021 and for his unstinting dedication as Chair in the years since. He has been a true servant of the NRWGC and we simply would not be where we are as an organisation without his efforts. I have been grateful for his advice and support as I have assumed the duties of Chair.
I would also like to warmly thank the three Trustees who finished their service in 2024: Professor Ed Coss, Ms Samantha Jolley and Dr Catriona Kennedy. Each has given enormous service to the NRWGC as a Trustee. I extend my gratitude on behalf of the Charity to Ed, Sam and Catriona.
2024 has seen continued and steady development for the Charity. We are satisfied that our Charitable Objects have been well met during this period.
The NRWGC’s work on grave and memorial restorations continued during the year. This included the cleaning or restoration of a number of relevant graves across the UK. The Charity was also engaged in field research and discussions with key stakeholders in a range of locations in relation to potential future projects.
The Charity continued to deliver on our educational remit by hosting regular online lectures from academics and other specialists on our period, as well as being active on a range of key social media platforms.
We also took every opportunity to fundraise and bring our mission to as wide a public audience as possible. This included once again exhibiting at the Chalke Valley History Festival in Wiltshire in June.
We were very proud to co-host the third War and Peace in the Age of Napoleon academic conference in conjunction with York St John University in September. This has by now become a landmark international conference on the Revolutionary and Napoleonic period. Last year’s event saw some 70 academics and researchers coming together in York. Attendees listened to and discussed papers on a wide selection of subjects, ranging from the role of living history in academia to the experiences of women during the Napoleonic Wars. We are grateful to all those who participated in the conference for helping make the 2024 event another great success.
As the key voice for grave and memorial sites and human remains from the Revolutionary and Napoleonic era, we were pleased to be able to contribute to the Law Commission of England and Wales’s public consultation on reform of burial and cremation legislation. The Law Commission’s proposals around the re-use of existing burial sites in England and Wales are
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highly significant. We will continue to advocate for respectful and dignified treatment of grave and memorial sites under the Charity’s remit, both in the UK and internationally.
As ever, none of what has been achieved would have been possible without the effort and enthusiasm of our dedicated Trustees, committee officers, volunteers and members.
My thanks goes to each and every one of them, and indeed to everyone who has donated or otherwise supported our work during this period.
Dr Graeme Callister Chair, Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity
29 August 2025
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Report of the Trustees
The Trustees of the Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity (aka ‘the Charity’ or ‘the NRWGC’) present their annual report on the Charity and its accounts for the period 1 January to 31 December 2024 inclusive and confirm compliance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the Charity’s governing document and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
1. Key Charity Information
Trustees (as of 31 December 2024)
Name Role Date Appointed Dr Graeme Callister Chair 5 September 2024 Dr Luke Reynolds Trustee 5 September 2024 Mr Todd Campbell Trustee 5 September 2024 Dr Katie White-Iribhogbe Trustee 16 August 2021 Mr Marcus Joseph Cribb MSc VR Trustee 3 May 2021 Mr Peter Edmond Molloy Trustee* 3 May 2021 Professor Beatrice de Graaf Trustee 3 May 2021
*Also Treasurer.
A number of Board of Trustee changes took place at the charity’s AGM on 5 September 2024. Dr Zack White stood down as Chair with Dr Graeme Callister standing for election, and being duly elected, as new Chair. Dr Zack White, Professor Ed Coss, Dr Catriona Kennedy and Ms Samantha Jolley all stood down as Trustees. Dr Graeme Callister, Dr Luke Reynolds and Mr Todd Campbell stood for election as Trustees and were all duly elected. Mr Marcus Cribb stood for re-election as a Trustee and was duly re-elected. The Board of Trustees met on four occasions during this reporting period.
Address
33 Church Close Tollerton York YO61 1QS United Kingdom
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Phone Number
+44 735 448 0003
Email contact.nrwgc@gmail.com Website www.nrwgc.com Charity Number 1196849 Bankers National Westminster Bank Plc. 250 Bishopsgate London EC2M 4AA United Kingdom
2. Structure, Governance and Management
The Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 30 November 2021. Trustees are appointed for a term of three years. All Trustees are selected in order to offer specific expertise on matters relating to the Charity’s operations, whilst also reflecting the Charity’s international focus and areas of operations. In accordance with the Charity’s constitution, all Trustees stood for re-election at the first AGM in 2022, and are now rotating the process of re-election by voluntarily agreeing who will stand for election over the next three years. This will ensure a constant rotation of elections of Trustees at each AGM. Four incumbent Trustees stood down during this reporting period and there were three new Trustee appointments. The Board of Trustees met on four occasions.
The Charity’s key governing document is its Constitution, dated 19 November 2021. The Constitution sets out the Charity’s Charitable Objects, namely:
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To advance education for the public benefit about the lives and experiences of members of the armed services and auxiliary forces who served at any point between 1775 and 1815, irrespective of nationality, by conducting research and disseminating the useful results of that research to the public; and
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To promote and support the maintenance and upkeep of graves, cemeteries and memorials, and facilitate the burial of the human remains of, members of the armed services and auxiliary forces of all nationalities who served at any point between 1775 and 1815.
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On a day to day basis, the NRWGC’s activities are overseen by its Chair, assisted by a number of committee officers, including a Treasurer, Membership Officer and Projects Liaison Officer. Of these committee officer positions, the Treasurer alone is also a serving Trustee, in order to ensure a voice for the Charity’s finances at Trustee level. All Trustee and committee roles, including that of Chair, are discharged entirely on a part-time, voluntary basis without any remuneration. The Charity has no full or part-time employees.
3. Review of Main Activities
Grave, Memorial and Remains Projects
The Charity’s work on relevant grave, memorial and human remains projects continued at pace throughout 2024. This included the cleaning or restoration of a number of graves across the UK. The Charity was also engaged during this period in field research and discussion with stakeholders in a range of locations in relation to potential future projects. This includes grave, memorial and remains sites in the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and the US.
Membership Programme
The Charity’s membership programme continued during 2024. This is an important aspect of our fundraising framework, with members paying an annual subscription of £25.00 and receiving benefits in return including a membership badge and monthly newsletter as well as free admission to talks hosted by the NRWGC.
Volunteer Programme
Our volunteer programme was active throughout 2024. This programme is allowing both members and non-members to contribute to the mission of the NRWGC by gathering information about relevant grave and memorial sites near and by learning practical skills like grave cleaning (where of course all relevant permissions are in place). In June, the Charity held its first training day for volunteers at the grave of Waterloo veteran Lieutenant General Richard Beaumont Burnaby at Southampton Old Common Cemetery.
Portsmouth University Undergraduate Project
In March-April 2024 the Charity cooperated with Portsmouth University on a bespoke project which saw four undergraduate history students work with the NRWGC to research, locate, assess and clean relevant graves across Portsmouth.
Rediscovering the War Dead
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2024 saw continuing development work on the NRWGC’s Rediscovering the War Dead project. This initiative is intended over the years ahead to build a crowd-sourced global database of the graves and memorials of veterans of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
Committee Work
A number of Charity sub-committees were active throughout the year. These focus on specific activity areas and report to the Chair. They include a Fundraising Sub-Committee to develop plans to drive the NRWGC’s financial growth.
AGM
The Charity’s AGM was held in hybrid format both in person at York St John University and via Zoom on 5 September 2024. Dr Zack White stood down after serving as the charity’s Chair since 2021, with Dr Graeme Callister being elected new Chair. Three serving Trustees – Professor Ed Coss, Dr Catriona Kennedy and Ms Samantha Jolley – stood down. One serving Trustee, Mr Marcus Cribb, stood for election and was duly re-elected. Dr Graeme Callister, Dr Luke Reynolds and Mr Todd Campbell stood for election and were duly elected as Trustees. The Charity’s draft 2023 Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts were approved by members ahead of submission to the Charity Commission of England and Wales. Members also approved a change to the Charity’s eligibility criteria for funding the restoration of graves and memorials. This eligibility update will allow for the consideration of members of militia or other auxiliary forces from the Revolutionary and Napoleonic period, even in cases where they did not die as a direct result of their service.
Chalke Valley History Festival
The NRWGC again exhibited at the Chalke Valley Festival from 24-30 June 2024. Held in Wiltshire, this is one of the UK’s largest dedicated history festivals and provided us with a valuable opportunity to fundraise and to outline the Charity’s vision to stakeholders as well as the general public.
Law Commission Review of Burial, Cremation and New Funerary Methods Legislation
In October 2024, the Law Commission of England and Wales launched a public consultation as part of a broader review of legislation around burial, cremation and new funerary methods. The Law Commission’s proposals for legislative reform in this area include the possibility of existing graves in England and Wales being reused after a period of time. As the key voice for grave and memorial sites from the Revolutionary and Napoleonic era, the NRWGC made a full submission to the public consultation. We will continue to monitor developments with this review and to advocate for the respectful and dignified treatment of relevant grave and memorial sites under the Charity’s remit, both in the UK and internationally.
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War and Peace in the Age of Napoleon Conference
The NRWGC was proud to co-host the third War and Peace in the Age of Napoleon academic conference in conjunction with York St John University. What has by now become a landmark international conference on the Revolutionary and Napoleonic period saw some 70 academics and researchers coming together in York between 5-7 September 2024. Attendees listened to and discussed papers on a wide selection of subjects, ranging from the role of living history in academia to the experiences of women during the Napoleonic Wars. The conference also generated significant income to support the NRWGC’s work.
Website and Social Media
Communicating the work and research of the NRWGC has remained an important focus for us during this reporting period, particularly in view of our educational Object. We maintained a strong social media presence during 2024, with the NRWGC active on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and BlueSky. Our www.nrgwgc.com website was also live throughout this period, offering resources including a blog, mailing list, Trustee information and donation and membership portals.
Online Talks
Another important aspect of our educational outreach has been the hosting of online talks covering various aspects of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic eras on which the NRWGC focusses. We held a series of these talks during 2024. NRWGC members were able to attend these talks for free as part of their membership benefits, with non-members charged £5.00 per talk.
4. Financial Summary
The Charity had total income during this period of £7,224.99; primarily via events income, membership subscriptions and donations. Total expenditure for the period was £4,067.43, leaving available unrestricted funds as of 31 December 2024 of £10,315.17 (i.e. the balance of our financial assets less restricted funds of £800.00).
At a meeting on 10 November 2022, Trustees approved the creation of a financial reserve of £800.00, representing approximately 10% of the Charity’s available funds at that point. No financial commitments that would reduce funds below this level will be entered into. As the NRWGC has at present no debts, liabilities or significant recurring costs, the Trustees consider this reserve sufficient for the time being. This figure is reviewed periodically by the Treasurer with an eye to maintaining a balance between having an adequate reserve and ensuring that no more funds than are prudent are ringfenced. Trustees will be asked to vote again on any future proposed increase or decrease.
5. Financial Statements
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The Financial Statements appended have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis with all income and expenditure shown on a cash basis. The Financial Statements have been drawn up in compliance with the Charities Act 2011 and with the Charity’s Constitution. They are unexamined, in line with the Charity Commission’s guidance that examination is not a requirement for CIOs with a total annual income of less than £25,000.00. As the Trustees have identified no significant short or medium term financial risks to the charity’s continued operations, the Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.
Approved by the Trustees on 31 August 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Dr Graeme Callister Chair
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Financial Statements
Statement of Receipts and Payments
For the Period 1 January – 31 December 2024
| Unrestricted Funds(£) | Restricted Funds(£) | Total Funds(£) | Previous Year Total(£) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts | ||||
| Compensation | 489.32 | 489.321 | - | |
| Donations | 596.86 | - | 596.86 | 2,769.57 |
| Events Income | 3,340.07 | - | 3,340.07 | 289.02 |
| Membership Subscriptions |
2,650.91 | - | 2,650.91 | 2,350.00 |
| Merchandise | 147.83 | - | 147.83 | 1,373.70 |
| Total Receipts | 7,224.99 | - | 7,224.99 | 6,782.29 |
| Payments | ||||
| Administration | 230.55 | - | 230.55 | 1,106.25 |
| Events | 2,764.95 | - | 2,764.95 | 843.87 |
| Grave, Memorial and Remains Projects |
700.85 | - | 700.85 | 3,594.37 |
| Insurance | 200.20 | - | 200.20 | 166.14 |
| Merchandise | 57.12 | 57.12 | 1,423.81 | |
| PayPal Fees | 113.76 | - | 113.76 | 132.78 |
| Total Payments | 4,067.43 | - | 4,067.43 | 7,267.22 |
1 The Charity received a once-off compensation payment of £489.32 from NatWest in May 2024. The payment related to delays and errors by NatWest in setting up the Charity’s bank account.
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities
As at 31 December 2024
| Unrestricted Funds(£) | Restricted Funds(£) | Total Funds(£) | Previous Year Total(£) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | - | - | ||
| Cash at Bank | 10,315.17 | 800.00 | 11,115.17 | 7,957.61 |
| Non-Monetary Assets |
- | - | - | - |
| Total Assets | 10,315.17 | 800.00 | 11,115.17 | 7,957.61 |
| Liabilities | - | - | - | - |
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Notes to the Financial Statements
1. Statutory Information
The Napoleonic & Revolutionary War Graves Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The Charity’s office address is 33 Church Close, Tollerton, York, Y061 1QS, United Kingdom.
2. Basis of Preparation
These Financial Statements are prepared on a receipts and payments basis, with all income and expenditure shown on a cash basis.
3. Going Concern
The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
4. Pensions
The Charity does not employ any staff and no pension is currently arranged.
5. Staff Costs
There were no staff costs during this period.
6. Remuneration, Expenses and Related Party Transactions
There was no remuneration during this period. Reimbursement totalling £57.12 was paid to Trustees and committee officers relating to vouched expenses incurred by them on behalf of the Charity in connection with project, events and merchandise activity.
7. Operating Currency
The Charity’s operating currency is £ Sterling.
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