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THE CEMETERY, RAF HABBANIYA
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There are 290 British and Commonwealth servicemen and civilians,
including women and children who still lie buried in the RAF Cemetery at Habbaniya. 257 of these are in War Graves from WW2 maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. |
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A view of the cemetery taken by Dave Bloom in 1955.
The nearest grave is of Fg Off Edgar Wetton who died 1st Nov 1942
Plot 2 Row G Grave 9
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Names and details of those buried in the cemetery have
been obtained from the CWGC, Army records and RAF records. There are many inconsistencies and the Honorary Secretary and the Association Researcher are working to compile an accurate a list as possible of all the graves. For details please contact the Honorary Secretary at - raf.habbaniya@btinternet.com
Wartime grave details are held by the CWGC
Link below.
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The grave of Pte Frank Vallery who died in
action with the Kings Own Royal Regiment on 22nd May 1941. Photo from his niece Mrs Anne Quinn |
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In addition to the Graves the cemetery contains a memorial to the 107 Royal Air
Force Iraq Levies who died while serving in Iraq and are buried in remote and unmaintainable graves. It takes the form of five panels of Sidon stone, on which the names are carved, surmounted an appropriate inscription and flanked on each side by the badge of the unit. It is built into the wall at the extreme end of the main avenue. Beneath, forming part of the memorial and made of the same stone, is a seat with a flower trough at each end.
The inscription, in English, Arabic and Assyrian reads;
THESE MEN GAVE THEIR LIVES WHILE SERVING
WITH THEIR COMRADES OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE |
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The first Act of Remembrance and wreath laying for 47 years since the RAF
were forced to leave in 1959 took place in the cemetery in November 2005 and this event was repeated on the 11th November 2006 |
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THE CEMETERY IN RAF DAYS
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THE CEMETERY IN 2003 - 2005
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The cemetery gatehouse. Note the Cross on the
brickwork and metal gate. Photo; Jim Wylde |
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View down cemetery - Photo; John Lowe
Central path & Cross of Sacrifice with Memorial
to the RAF Iraq Levies in background. |
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The sentry post has been removed in 2006.
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View from top of gatehouse. The
Assyrian/Armenian/Christian cemetery beyond is severely desecrated. |
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CEMETERY UNDER RESTORATION IN 2008
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