Established by Royal Charter in 1917, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission is maintained by the governments of Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom to mark and maintain the war graves of these countries wherever they lie. Its commitment extends to some 150 countries around the world, including Commonwealth war burials located in almost 500 cemeteries in the United States of America. The Commission provided the granite headstones that mark the graves at Buxton and Ocracoke, and its representatives periodically visit the sites to ensure headstone and burial maintenance.