Taiping war cemetery, Taiping Overview

Taiping War Cemetery is a burial ground dedicated to the allied office staff and servicemen martyred during the second world war. Erected and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, this cemetery is located in Bukit Larut, Taiping, Perak, Malaysia. About 850 casualties from the second world war are commemorated here out of which 500 still remain unidentified. Most of these buried men originated from the UK, Australia, China, Malaysia, and of Gurkha heritage.

Segregated into two segments of land, this graveyard has placed Christian graves located on the southeastern side of the road while non-Christian graves are buried on the opposite side. A cross of sacrifice stands on the southeastern boundary and a Stone of remembrance stands on the northwestern boundary. Jalan Bukit Larut is a road that serves as a boundary between these Christian and non-christian sections of the cemetery. These graves are marked with white granite headstone depicting their regimental badge if known. Muslim graves are aligned in such a manner that they face Mecca, thus following the Muslim religious convictions.

How to Reach Taiping War Cemetery

If you are in Taiping, then the Taiping war cemetery is easily accessible by taxi. Grab a taxi from any taxi stand in Taiping that will leave you at the cemetery. This taxi ride might require a few minutes and cost around RM 12 - RM 15.

History of Taiping War Cemetery

When the Japanese invaded the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Taiping was on the British line of retreat. Hosting a garrison of one Indian Army, the Taiping forces were reinforced with a casualty receiving station where 500 beds for the military patients were arranged by the civilian authorities. During the war, the 6th and 15th Indian brigades used Taiping as a resting and refitment centre. At the end of the second world war, the Japanese surrendered. Major H.J Ingram was assigned the task of identifying the dead who lost their lives in the British and Commonwealth war. Major Ingram designed and supervised the erection of this cemetery for the reception of graves that were brought from the battlefields, from numerous other temporary burial grounds, and from the village and other civil cemeteries.