A Beautiful Area for Reflection and Remembrance

 As we approach Remembrance Day 2022, I've decided that today's blog will not honour one person as such but many as I share a special area in Rookwood Necropolis dedicated to the War dead and Remembrance".

SYDNEY WAR CEMETERY AND GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE

As you enter the Necropolis from Centenary Drive and turn right at the first roundabout, after passing the cafe and meeting "Hub" you will see a rather large Cemetery full of white headstones. These are reminiscent of those contained in a War Cemetery readily viewed on the former battlefields of France or Belgium and containing an altar to the unknown soldier.


Sydney War Cemetery - cwgc.org with thanks

This War Cemetery was established by the Military Authorities in 1942. It mainly contains the graves of those who died in Concord Military Hospital nearby, either from wounds or illness relating to conflict in War. The Cemetery was taken over by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) in December 1946. 

The Cemetery contains 736 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of WW2. Those members of the UK Forces who are buried in the Cemetery died whilst prisoners of war in Japanese hands and were cremated. After the War the Army Graves Service arranged for their ashes to be brought to Sydney for internment. Among the war graves is that of one civilian who died while in the employment of the Admiralty during the War and there is also one French War grave.   

The NSW Cremation Memorial commemorates the men who during WW2 were accorded a cremation in various crematoria throughout NSW. Their ashes were either scattered or are buried where a proper commemoration is not possible. There are 199 names on the memorial.

In the rear corner is the Sydney Memorial, which pays homage to almost 750 men and women of the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Australian Merchant Navy who lost their lives during WW2 in the eastern and southern regions of Australia and have no known grave. 


Sydney War Graves Marine Memorial - cwgc.org with thanks

The War Cemetery did not receive a new burial until 2011 when Sergeant Brett Wood, who although being from the State of Victoria, was part of a Sydney based 2nd Commando Regiment, and was requested to be buried amongst "kin". Sergeant Wood was killed in action in Afghanistan on 23rd May 2011 and died as a result of activating an improvised explosive device. He was 32 years old.

On 3rd June 2016, 9 of the 33 bodies buried in Vietnam and Malaysia and returned to Australia were reinterred in the War Cemetery with full honours. The majority of the men buried were 19 years old.

Adjacent to the Sydney War Cemetery is the NSW Garden of Remembrance which was constructed in the early 1960's. It has been expanded several times since and completely redeveloped in the late 1980's.

The NSW Garden of Remembrance has a plaque capacity of 100,000 and has undergone structural works to provide more commemorative wall space. Currently there are over 75,000 plaques displayed. 


NSW Garden of Remembrance - cwgc.org with thanks 

The entry building houses the Register Books which list the wall and panel of each individual plaque and the central pathway between the walls leads to a circular lower bed which contains a red granite stone and commemorative plaque. This further leads to a fountain that cascades over river stones which encircle a steel gazebo. 

Most of the year the gardens bloom with roses and rosemary and is a perfect serene place for contemplation.

When you are next at Rookwood pay this War Cemetery and Garden of Remembrance a visit and take time to drink in its tranquil beauty and simply reflect upon those who sacrificed so much.

On Remembrance Day we reflect upon people who have lost their lives for the freedoms we take so much for granted.

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them" *Attributed to Laurence Binyon

To view more information about the NSW War Graves and those interred find that 

here

To view more information about the NSW Garden of Remembrance and search for veteran's listed find that 

here

If you have any comments, please leave them below or post them at the Facebook group page by searching for 

rookwoodcemeterydiscoveries 

or send me an email at

lorainepunch@gmail.com


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