Sai Wan Memorial

This Memorial honours those men of the land forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who died in the defence of Hong Kong during the Second World War. Of the 2,071 names, 228 are Canadian. The Memorial, which is in the form of a shelter building 24 metres long and 5.5 metres wide, stands at the entrance to Sai Wan War Cemetery. From the semi-circular forecourt, two wide openings lead to the interior of the building. The names are inscribed on panels of Portland stone. The dedicatory inscription reads:

1939-1945

THE OFFICERS AND MEN WHOSE MEMORY IS HONOURED HERE DIED IN THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG IN DECEMBER 1941 AND IN THE ENSUING YEARS OF CAPTIVITY AND HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE

The northern side of the Memorial is open, and four granite piers support the copper roof. From a commanding position 305 metres above sea level, it looks out over the War Cemetery where some 1,500 men lie buried, and across the water to Mainland China - a magnificent view of sea and mountains.

Directions

Sai Wan Memorial is situated in Sai Wan War Cemetery which is located on Cape Collinson Road situated in the north-east of the island of Hong Kong, about 11 kilometres from Central district. The easiest way to reach the cemetery is by the mass transit railway (MTR) Hong Kong line to Chai Wan Terminus. From the Terminus one can either walk up to the cemetery following Chai Wan Road to the roundabout, turning west into Wan Tsui Road, then south east up Lin Shing Road, which leads to Cape Collinson Road. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) road direction sign is fixed to a wall facing down Lin Shing Road. The Cape Collinson area has many cemeteries. Walking up this narrow one-way traffic road, one will pass the Catholic Cemetery situated on the hillside to the left of the road, and the Hong Kong Military Cemetery on the right. Sai Wan War Cemetery is about half way up Cape Collinson Road and faces the Muslim and Buddhist cemeteries. One can also get a taxi from Chai Wan Terminus and follow the same route. Alternatively, one can board a public light bus, Route No.16M, which runs from Chai Wan MTR Terminus to Stanley where the CWGC has another cemetery (Stanley Military Cemetery). En route to Stanley the minibus will pass Sai Wan War Cemetery, stopping only on request.