Port Moresby (Bomana) PNG - 438 men of the Royal Artillery - Plots C2, C3, C4, C5

Discussion in 'War Grave Photographs' started by bucklt, Feb 22, 2018.

  1. bucklt

    bucklt Bucklt

    In the process of photographing our war cemeteries I do recall coming across some plots which only contain the remains of "unknown" combatants. However, of the 60-odd cemeteries I've visited here in Asia, I don't ever remember coming across 4 plots - the final burial places of 438 men - who all served with the same regiment - Regiment Of The Royal Artillery - and sadly, not a single name is engraved on any of those 438 grave-markers!

    Background. After the Fall Of Singapore, these men were sent to the island of Ballale (note: different spelling on different websites), Solomon Islands, to build an airstrip. After multiple hardships including air-raids, jungle fever etc, the survivors were massacred by the Japanese and buried in a mass grave.

    Attached links will give some more details on above incident:
    War Crimes Report and names of soldiers here:
    600 Gunners Party
    Wiki article here: Balalae Island - Wikipedia
    Pilgrimage to island in 2003 by COFEPOW here:
    Pilgrimage to Ballalae (Solomon Islands) | COFEPOW
    Images of island taken in 1943 here: Pacific Wrecks
    D.Telegraph article here:
    Untitled Document
    Tony Wheeler (Lonely Planet co-founder) article here:
    The Sad Story of Balalae Island | Tony Wheeler's Travels


    IN MEMORY OF ALL THOSE MEN WHO SUFFERED SO MUCH - FAR FROM HOME AND THEIR LOVED ONES - LEST WE FORGET!


    Tony Buckley :poppy: www.asiawargraves.com
    01. Lae, Rabaul and Ballalae Island (image via satellites.pro).jpg 02. Memorial Plaque on Ballalae Island    (via www.tracesofwar.com).jpg 03. Cemetery Plan showing Plots C2, C3, C4 and C5..jpg 04. cemetery register and memorial in shelter housing.JPG 05. memorial plaque to 438 men of the royal artillery.JPG 06. c2 d1.JPG 07. c3 a1.JPG 08. c4 a1.JPG 09. c5 a1.JPG
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2018
    Deacs, ozzy16, timuk and 3 others like this.
  2. timuk

    timuk Well-Known Member

    Link above appears to be incomplete so repeated -
    600 Gunners Party
    Lt Col John Bassett, Commanding Officer 35 Regt LAA, led this Party, which contained many of the 35th Regt particularly 144 Battery.
    Names commemorated on Singapore Memorial.
    Tim
     
  3. bucklt

    bucklt Bucklt

    Thanks Tim - revised link added.

    Tony Buckley :poppy: www.asiawargraves.com
     

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