"... , as well as ..."

[Odessa Dawn]

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"Its aims are to ‘provide and maintain memorials and grave markers to commemorate the lives of holders of the Victoria Cross’, as well as to educate the public about their lives and resting places."

More: What a way to remember our VC heroes | Mail Online

Is comma before as well as in the given context necessary? I have checked this site in which it is being stated that the phrase as well as doesn’t need a comma before it unless it’s a part of a non-restrictive clause.
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[emsr2d2]

In my opinion, it's not necessary.

 

[TheParser]

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello,


In my humble opinion, the Daily Mail was correct to use a comma. I can think of at least two reasons:

1. Without the comma, a reader (especially one who read it out loud) would be out of breath before s/he reached

the last word "places".

2. We do not know what is in the mind of the writer. Perhaps s/he intended "as well as to ... places" to be non-restrictive.

Compare:

To provide and maintain memorials and grave markers to commemorate the lives of holders of the Victoria Cross, as well as to educate the public about their lives and resting places, is the aim [of this organization].



James