The Scottish War Graves Project

David McNay

Today I received communication from the owner of a private burial ground which we had featured here.

At their request I have removed the thread concerning this burial ground. It may or may not be reinstated, depending on their wishes.

The purpose of my creating this thread is to make clear that if you intend to photograph graves in a private burial ground please seek permission of the owner.

If you do not have permission, and can see no right of entry, do not enter.

The administrators of this site accept no responsibility if you are found in an area of private ground without permission.

spoons · Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 4:34 pm Post subject:

I am sorry that you felt it necessary to remove the photographs. I believe it was my photographs of a burial ground near Prestwick. My access to the ground was through an unlocked gate. There were no signs to state that either access or photography was not permitted and so my taking the photographs was perfectly legal.

Had there been any restrictions then of course I would not have taken them. Likewise if there had been a sign with contact details, then I would have contacted the owners as a courtesy before publishing.

My photographs remain on photobucket and so remain in the public domain.

\Paul
_________________
www.ukwarmemorials.co.uk

Murray · Joined: 21 Jan 2008 Posts: 246

Along the same lines. I returned to a cemetery to take of photo of a headstone I had missed. While there I met the widow of a soldier killed in Afghanistan last year.

I explained that I had taken photo's of her husbands grave a few day previous and explained what they were for. I then asked her for permission to post them online.

She said that at the present she would rather I didn't and wanted the grave to remain private for the time being.

This might be another sensitive area to avoid.

spoons · Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 8:47 pm Post subject:

I had a similar dialogue concerning a newly created memorial for a soldier killed in Afghanistan. Likewise the grieving family did not want it made public (although they had agreed to the memorial!). Although I could legally have taken photos and posted them, I respected their wishes.

I left it for a year and then contacted the family via the head teacher of the soldier's former school. I provided an example of how we posted a similar memorial and the comments posted in response. When they saw our intentions and how the memory of their family member would be enhanced, permission was granted and I made the post.

\Paul
_________________
www.ukwarmemorials.co.uk