Original CWGC Cemetery Photographs

I have a few questions regarding the original grave markers for my project, I hope you can help me with:
What were the original crosses made from? They look like pressed metal.
I have a couple of photographs of family members visiting war graves shortly after WW2, who funded this as it is unlikely the families would have had the money to pay for the visit?
When were the replacement headstones put in?
I assume the families were contacted when they were replaced regarding the epitaphs?
Thanks

 

Some early photos of Italian cemeteries - would be nice if anyone is going to any of these they could get a now photo from the same place

Alistair

Cesena


Argenta Gap


Bari


Anzio Beachhead


Catania


Salerno


Ancona

 

Not close-ups, but Salerno May 2014

 

Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio, May 2014

 

Rfn Hadland, grave photo along with the details on the back and the letter sending it to his Mother

 

14333199 Gnr D D Needham, who was killed in the bombing of the King David Hotel, he is buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery

Alistair

 

Found this photo in an exhibition at the National War Museum, Overloon, Netherlands in May 2015. Identified the closest two graves as being Gordan Allan Brown of the Royal Canadian Corp of Signals and John Brownlee of the Lake Superior Regiment buried at Bergen-op-Zoon Canadian War Cemetery.

 

Ancona, Italy. New photo's for comparison.

View attachment 136919 View attachment 136920 View attachment 136921

 

LAC Pott, RAF who died in Canada while training

 

T/4132691 Driver H Parsons RASC

 

129869 Captain P W Hattersley

 

Originals;-


Kyle

 

Lt Botherway

 

http://www.fallenheroesphotos.org/Servicemen/OriginalGraveMarkers

Also has lots of interesting photos of original markers

Alistair

 

A collective grave from Venray

 

Some photos of the funeral of Sgt Flockhart as well as more general photos of Khayat Beach cemetery

Alistair

 

Gunner Edwin Patrick PEFFER of 27 Field Regiment buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery

 

Gunner Edwin Patrick PEFFER of 27 Field Regiment buried in Taukkyan War Cemetery

 

Another one, this time Captain Elsford West Yorks & Sgt Raven Coldstream Guards in Overloon War Cemetery

Alistair