Cemetery: TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY
Country: Myanmar
Locality: unspecified
Visiting Information: Wheelchair access to site possible - may be via an alternative entrance. For further information regarding wheelchair access, please contact our Enquiries Section on telephone number 01628 507200.
Location Information: Taukkyan War Cemetery is outside Yangon (formerly Rangoon), near the airport and immediately adjoining the village of Taukkyan. It is on PY1 road (formerly Prome Road), about 35 kilometres north of the city from which it is easily accessible.
Historical Information: TAUKKYAN WAR CEMETERY is the largest of the three war cemeteries in Burma (now Myanmar). It was begun in 1951 for the reception of graves from four battlefield cemeteries at Akyab, Mandalay, Meiktila and Sahmaw which were difficult to access and could not be maintained. The last was an original 'Chindit' cemetery containing many of those who died in the battle for Myitkyina. The graves have been grouped together at Taukkyan to preserve the individuality of these battlefield cemeteries Burials were also transferred from civil and cantonment cemeteries, and from a number of isolated jungle and roadside sites. Because of prolonged post-war unrest, considerable delay occurred before the Army Graves Service were able to complete their work, and in the meantime many such graves had disappeared. However, when the task was resumed, several hundred more graves were retrieved from scattered positions throughout the country and brought together here. The cemetery now contains 6,374 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, 867 of them unidentified. In the 1950s, the graves of 52 Commonwealth servicemen of the First World War were brought into the cemetery from the following cemeteries where permanent maintenance was not possible: Henzada (1); Meiktila Cantonment (8); Thayetmyo New (5); Thamakan (4); Mandalay Military (12) and Maymyo Cantonment (22). Taukkyan War Cemetery also contains: The RANGOON MEMORIAL, which bears the names of almost 27,000 men of the Commonwealth land forces who died during the campaigns in Burma and who have no known grave. The TAUKKYAN CREMATION MEMORIAL commemorating more than 1,000 Second World War casualties whose remains were cremated in accordance with their faith. The TAUKKYAN MEMORIAL which commemorates 45 servicemen of both wars who died and were buried elsewhere in Burma but whose graves could not be maintained.
No. of Identified Casualties: 5559
Burnley Express & News, October 3rd, 1986
GAVAGHAN (nee Woodvine). - On October 1st 1986, peacefully at home, 70 Barnes Court Burnley, Prudence aged 67 years the dearly beloved wife of John, loving mother of Keith and Lynne, dear mother in law of Tony and Sandra and a much loved nana of Jason and Kelly. Cortege will leave her home today, Friday October 3rd 1986, at 3p.m. for service and committal at Burnley Crematorium at 3-30 p.m.- All inquiries to C.R.S. Funeral Services Hargreave Street, Burnley. Tel 26146/8
WOODVINE Joseph Oscar On Wednesday...
WOODVINE Joseph Oscar On Wednesday, January 10th, 2007, in hospital, surrounded by all his family, Joe, aged 82 years, a very loved and loving husband of the late Annie, a brilliant special and much loved dad of Barbara, Alan, Ann, Robert, Irene, Keith and Janet, best grandad and great-grandad in the world, a dear father-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle and great friend to many. We will all miss his love, his guidance, his laughter and his great sense of fun. Joe's friends are invited to join his family at a service at St Matthew's Church, Burnley, on Thursday, January 18th, at 1 p.m. followed by cremation at Burnley Crematorium, at 1-40 p.m. Flowers or donations to Pendleside Hospice or Oxfam will be received in Joe's memory by Alderson and Horan Funeral Service, 128 Rossendale Road, Burnley. Tel. 01282 427483 or 457452.