Hello everyone, Just a quick one to say that I should be off to the above War Cemetery tomorrow, and if anyone has any requests, please let me know. I think I am right in saying that photos of this cemetery are already available from people on this site, so perhaps my offer is not much help. However, if anything was missed or if anyone one would like a photo from a different angle or something, or perhaps a flower on a relative's grave, just let me know. Kind Regards, Chris P.S. Sorry for the late notice. If I miss your request, don't worry as I should be back there again soon.
Good day Drew1940, If possible, while you are visiting Yokohama War Cemetery could you take a photograph of the headstone of the following casualty please? Gunner Joseph Hocking, R.A. 69 Battery, 21 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Grave Reference: Yokohama British Cemetery, British Section P.C.14. Gunner Joseph Hocking is listed on the 'Roll of Honour' of his home town of Cleator Moor, Cumbria (which I researched on behalf of the Town Council). He was the son of Joseph Hocking (Snr.) and Sarah Ann Hocking of Cleator Moor and died at the age of 26. Your offer is the first time I have heard of anyone who is likely to visit this particular war cemetery. So, thanks in advance for your offer of assistance.
Chris Thanks for making the offer. Would it be possible for you to get the six chaps below from the cemetery: DD8 Mills/W J RA KD4 East/W G RA KD8 Cane/R O RA LB14 Morgan/S L RA MD14 Frost/W J RA RA14 Smith/A RA They are men who are all commemorated/ connected to the local area near me. Also if you have the time could I ask for the two chaps below from the Cremation Memorial, which I understand is within the same cemetery, Panel 1 Terry/L Bombardier RA Panel 2 Griggs/A M Gunner RA Thanks and have a good trip Regards Andy
Tijger B, Cheers mate. As one of the visitors said in the remembrance book about his father, "It is a very beautiful place to rest". I suppose it goes without saying, since the CWGC keep these places in such wonderful condition, but I was really impressed. Ritsonvaljos & Andy, I will post the photos here, but I am not sure if the size is reduced, if you need me to email you copies, please send me a PM. Very glad to be of some small assistance in your very worthy research. Edit: The photo sizes are definitely too big, please PM me for the original size.
Ritsonvalijos, hope these are OK. Gunner J. Hocking. The inscriptions left by relatives are some of the most moving things I have ever read. Where Gunner J. Hocking rests.
Drew1940, Thanks for the photographs. It is an excellent contribution for the local 'Roll of Honour'. Jos
Chris A BIG public Thank You for the chaps I requested. What a beautiful place and what fantastic weather you had when visiting. A credit to the men/women who maintain this cemetery Regards Andy
Jos, Your sentiments seem to be very similar to those I read on the inscriptions at the cemetery. “HE SLEEPS IN A GRAVE ACROSS THE FOAM LOVED AND REMEMBERED BY THOSE AT HOME”. and: “THOUGH YOU REST SO FAR AWAY YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED, MY SON”. Andy, I'm very glad they were useful. I could be wrong, but I think they have planted different types of flowers and spaced them out among the graves, so that there is always some colour there. They have some flowers even in winter here. Chris
Not wanting to hijack a thread but the title is relevant. The National Archives of Australia (NAA – www.naa.gov.au) holds burial cards for all of the Australian personnel buried in this cemetery. The cards provide the normal service details on the member plus any information on the search for the remains and any reburials etc. Sometimes on the back of the card is information regarding the cause of death. The cards are normally filed in plot sequence and using the CWGC will provide info on what plot number to search for. Unfortunately Yokohama cemetery cards seem to be 100% Aussie burials only. Hopefully one day this info might be of assistance when doing research into somebody buried in this cemetery.
Hello Dave, Thanks a lot for posting this. Its very good of you to let people know about this resource. I notice that although most of the cards have English and Japanese on them, there are some parts where there are words left untranslated. If anybody needs any help with this, just let me know. Cheers, Chris
Though I notice that someone has had a go at some of the main ones: List of symbols on Japanese POW cards