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 www.asiawargraves.com
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
