TNAG-1521-FCO40-2082-Commonwealth-War-Graves-Commission-in-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 24

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COMMONWEALTH WAR CEMETERIES, GRAVES AND MEMORIALS, HONG KONG

THE COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION

1.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) is responsible

for commemorating members of the Commonwealth armed forces who died

during the 1914-18 and 1939-45 World Wars and for the care of their graves and memorials throughout the world. The governments of six

Commonwealth or former Commonwealth countries those of Australia,

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are

Britain, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa

represented on the CWGC and provide the bulk of its funds.

THE COMMITMENT IN HONG KONG

2.

The CWGC is responsible for the care of the graves in Hong

Kong of 2288 Commonwealth and 81 non-Commonwealth war dead of the

two World Wars. Of these:-

3.

(a) 1582 are in Sai Wan Bay War Cemetery and 598 in

Stanley Military Cemetery (CWGC cemeteries);

(b) 143 are in Hong Kong Cemetery, Happy Valley, which

is maintained by the municipality, and 46 are scattered

among six cemeteries administered by religious authorities.

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The CWGC is also responsible for three war memorials one in

the Botanic Gardens, Victoria, and two in Sai Wan Bay War Cemetery

commemorating 4582 members of the Commonwealth forces who died during

the two World Wars and have no known grave; and for two memorials

one in Sai Wan Bay War Cemetery and one in the Hindu Cemetery, Happy Valley commemorating 152 members of the Commonwealth forces whose

mortal remains were committed to fire in accordance with the rites

of their religion.

4.

103 "non-World War" graves (ie those of civilians, including

civilian war dead, and of servicemen who died outside the two World

War periods) - 96 in Stanley Military Cemetery and 7 in Sai Wan Bay

are maintained by the CWGC as an agency service on behalf

of the Hong Kong and British Governments.

Cemetery

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5. A detailed statement is attached (Appendix 'A'), from which

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