Envision a peaceful slope in the New Territories. This is where the Gurkha Cemetery rests. It is a place of respect and remembrance. This cemetery is also known as Cassino Lines Cemetery or Norwegian Farm Cemetery.
Welcome to the Gurkha Cemetery. Here lie over 500 Gurkha servicemen and their families. They served with the British Army. Their roles were border patrol and internal conflict management in Hong Kong. Some were deployed overseas.
The Gurkha Cemetery’s story began in 1956. It concluded in 1996. This was just before the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Each grave is marked with a square stone block. Plots are labeled with letters A through H. They were previously numbered.
The Gurkha Cemetery is within the former Cassino Lines Military Camp. Today, the People’s Liberation Army uses it as San Tin Barracks. The cemetery is always locked. To enter, arrange a visit beforehand. You can also call Sai Wan War Cemetery for the padlock combination. A sign outside the barracks provides this information.
Some retired Gurkhas claim they cannot access 200 graves. These graves are supposedly within the PLA’s San Tin barracks. The PLA denies the existence of such graves in San Tin or Tam Mei barracks. A retired Gurkha said they asked to move the graves. They wanted to move them to the Gurkha Cemetery. This request was refused. A PLA spokesman stated they found no Gurkha grave sites within San Tin or Tam Mei barracks.
After fighting the Gurkhas in Nepal from 1814 to 1816, the British started employing them as soldiers. Many Gurkhas were stationed in the New Territories. They lived at San Tin barracks, formerly known as Cassino Lines. This was before the 1997 handover.
Visiting the Gurkha Cemetery requires caution. The cemetery sits on an exposed slope. Check the weather forecast before your visit. Snakes are present in the Gurkha Cemetery. Be aware of your surroundings.
Remember the Gurkha Cemetery’s legacy. Think of the brave soldiers and their families. Their dedication and service shaped Hong Kong’s history. This peaceful place honors their memory.