Grave Locations - Madagascar
Total Australian commemorations in Madagascar: 1
RED - this indicates those cemeteries that have been completed.
BLUE - this indicates those cemeteries that have been offered for completion
BLACK - this indicates those cemeteries that have yet to be completed.
Status Current as of the 17th July 2007
Cemetery/Memorial
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No.
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Volunteer
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Status
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| DIEGO SUAREZ WAR CEMETERY | 1 | Said Ken Koubessy
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Complete |
DIEGO SUAREZ WAR CEMETERY, Madagascar
Location:
The town of Antsiranana lies on the western shore of Diego Suarez Bay on the north-east coast of Madagascar. The War Cemetery is adjacent to the civil cemetery in Oronjia Road 3 kilometres south-east of the town.
Historical Information:
The cemetery is entered from the north through wrought iron gates flanked by stone piers. On the inner side face of one pier is a tablet inscribed with the words: "THE LAND ON WHICH THIS CEMETERY STANDS IS THE GIFT OF THE PEOPLE OF THE MALAGASY REPUBLIC FOR THE PERPETUAL RESTING PLACE OF THE SAILORS, SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN WHO ARE HONOURED HERE." A tablet on the inner side face of the opposite pier bears this same inscription in Malagasy. A Cross of Sacrifice stands in the centre of the right-hand boundary of the cemetery. During the 1939-1945 War about two thirds of the Allied war graves in Madagascar were concentrated into this War Cemetery. After the war the remaining war graves were also gathered into the cemetery except those of 34 Africans whose graves, in accordance with local customs, where obliterated, and who are now commemorated on the East African memorial in Nairobi War Cemetery. The cemetery contains 314 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-1945 war, 3 of which are unidentified, and also 1 Belgian burial.
(Information: Courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission)
Please contact the Archive Director for details and photographic requirements
australianwargraves@bigpond.com