War Cemeteries in Tunisia

Just got back from a good 5 days in Tunisia and a few photos / a "short" visit story will emerge in due course, but wanted to provide some immediate feedback on the visits to the CWGC cemeteries in the Medjez / Tunis areas to counteract any concern of members after viewing those dreadful Libyan videos from the other week.

My brother and I, and a locally based British journalist visited four cemeteries - Beja, Massicault, Medjez-el-Bab and Oued Zarga - on this trip. In each case, and I'm sure you're not surprised to learn, the cemeteries all continue to be maintained in immaculate condition by CWGC's local staff. As those who have previously visited Tunisia will know, Massicault and Medjez are on quite busy roads and have a large area of space surrounding them. Oued Zarga is in an absolute beautiful location right next to a dammed lake about 1/2 mile from the main road. Beja is in quite a cramped location in the town but the cemetery grounds are well maintained - it was raining that morning so possibly not the best time to see it. Gardeners were in evidence at all four locations - and pleased to see us.

What was particularly striking about the visits was that despite recent upheavals, Tunisians continue to place the greatest importance in treating the memorial areas with the greatest respect. The period was clearly a dreadful time for the country and we met several whose families were killed or maimed in 1942/43 and one man whose son was killed in 1990 from unexploded ordnance.

We spoke in Arabic and French to families and young men who were walking around the cemeteries when we visited - our Tunis contact had also visited recently when a group of teenagers were playing football at the front of the Medjez plot (CWGC are aware of this) and asked them if they thought that they were being disrespectful to the fallen - and despite being slightly confused about the precision of the events of 1942/43, they wanted to make it clear that they believed that they were always respectful to the young men who weren't able to return to their families. Clearly this is what they thought we wanted to hear, but our experience during the visit from talking to villagers, taxi drivers and fellow louage passengers, added further weight to our thoughts on the subject.

Tunisia is still in a slight state of political upheaval, but remains a very friendly, and an exceptionally beautiful country to visit - especially at this time of the time when the Mejerda valley is in full colour. The "dreadful" goats and flocks of sheep are in abundance, the wild flowers in bloom - and there are no tourists to be seen (ok we weren't on the beach). And no Ben Ali.

The above is not quite the memory of my father and his mates in the winter and early spring of 1942/43 - mais c'etait la guerre. My father was definitely with us in spirit this week as we placed crosses near the grave markers of his dear friends - Sgt Dennis Griffin, Sgt George Rock, C/Sgt Ian Brookes.......

 

Richard -

sounds like you had a good trip - looking forward to the next tale
Cheers

 

I am pleased you posted this Richard. It is heartening to know that the 'fallen' are respected in Tunisia, especially after some of the 'horror' stories you read about other countries.

Best,

Steve.

 

Looking forward to your postings Richard. Glad you had a nice trip

Lesley

 

Glad to see everything went well Richard.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Great that you have had a nice trip.

Cheers
Paul

 

Hi Richard.

I'm glad you had an excellent trip. I've just seen the email with the photos you promised and they are excellent. Thanks.