Here stands a place of remembrance. It’s the Race Course Fire Memorial. This memorial commemorates a tragedy that shook Hong Kong.
The Race Course Fire Memorial stands as a solemn reminder. It marks the devastating fire of 1918. Over 600 lives were lost. The disaster occurred during the Lunar New Year Derby Day races. The Happy Valley Racecourse was packed with over 10,000 people. Bamboo-built stands collapsed due to the overloading. This caused a fire that spread rapidly.
After the calamity, Tung Wah Hospital responded quickly. They helped collect the bodies of the deceased. The government allocated land in So Kon Po. It became the permanent cemetery for the victims. This area was known as Coffee Garden.
Construction of the Race Course Fire Memorial began in 1922. It blends Western and Chinese architectural styles. The Chinese archway displays auspicious characters. These symbolize fortune, riches, and long life. Marble plaques bear inscriptions. They read “the grave of men and women from the East and West”. The names of the victims are listed on Chinese and English stone tablets.
The Race Course Fire Memorial is unique. It’s Hong Kong’s first communal grave. It was built with public donations. It honors the victims of a disaster.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club funded renovations. These occurred in 1974, 1983, and 1993. The memorial’s original appearance has been preserved. The Race Course Fire Memorial was declared a monument in 2015.
The memorial has two pavilions. They are on the topmost terrace. A central Memorial Arch sits on the next lower terrace. A pair of pagodas are on the lowest terrace. Granite slabs pave each terrace. Balustraded parapets line the edges. Granite steps connect the terraces. The front retaining wall is curved like a traditional Chinese grave.
Ho Sheung designed the Race Course Fire Memorial. He worked for the Public Works Department. His design combines Western and Chinese elements skillfully. The Race Course Fire Memorial reflects care for the dead. It also shows compassion for the injured and bereaved families.
Tung Wah Hospital continues to honor the deceased. Every year on the Ching Ming Festival, staff sweep the graves. They also pay respects at Tung Wah’s other cemeteries.
In 2018-2019, Typhoon Mangkhut damaged the road to the Race Course Fire Memorial. Fallen trees made it inaccessible for a while. It has since reopened to the public. The Race Course Fire Memorial stands as a testament to resilience. It also signifies remembrance. It’s a place to reflect on a tragic past.