Rookwood Cemetery Discoveries

 Another Remembrance Day has passed, and we remembered those who fought the brave fight in wars and conflicts from WW1 and onwards, not just at 11am but all day and more. Another Remembrance Day has passed, and we are still experiencing war and conflicts the world over; we still despairingly ask, why?? I do not want to dwell on the rights and wrongs of armed conflict but wish to honour all the brave soldiers who have passed and are buried in other parts of the world. After WW1, due to the amount of war dead, it was reasoned that those who died away from their homeland would be buried in the country in which they died. Thousands of headstones in Rookwood are etched with the names of the war dead becoming a place for loved ones to mourn as it was almost impossible for anyone here to visit their actual place of rest. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) was set up consisting of six independent member states whose function is to mark, record and maintain the graves and places ...

 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 Ceme...