Kiwi Soldier
Monte Cassino page

The Commonwealth Cemetary
A peaceful spot on the outskirts of Cassino town is the final resting place for around 4,265 Indian, British and New Zealand soldiers.

The entrance to the Commonwealth Cassino War Cemetary. The marker on the road at the entrance to the Commonwealth Cassino War Cemetary. Monte Trocchio in the background.
The entrance wall with the left-hand section of graves behind - 'Within this cemetary stand monuments which bear the names of soldiers of the British Commonwealth and Empire who fell in the assaults on the shores of Sicily and Italy or in later battles to free Italian soil and to whom the fortunes of war denied a known and honoured grave. Around them are the graves of their comrades who died fighting in these parts to open the way to Rome and the North.' The front looking to the right. The NZ graves section is on the far right. MonteCassino dominates the cemetary backdrop. The central feature of the cemetary - 'Their name liveth for evermore.' Note the 2 rows of 6 panels either side of the central water feature with the cross behind. The 12 panels feature the names of the soldiers who have no known gravesite. 'Their name liveth for evermore.' 'Their name liveth for evermore.' Several graves feature the same marking - 'A soldier of the Second World War, Known Unto God'. 'A soldier of the Second World War, Known Unto God'. MonteCassino watches over their resting place.
Battalion or Regimental unit markings differentiate the grave markers. Looking back towards the entrance. The central water feature. The water feature with the name panels. Looking back towards the entrance from beside the cross. The cross looking towards MonteCassino. The area at the cross looking back towards the entrance with Monte Trocchio in the background.
One of the name panels with MonteCassino keeping watch. The cross with Monte Trocchio.
The view from the very rear of the cemetary looking towards Monte Trocchio. Indian graves at the right rear of the cemetary. '11413 Major C.A. Slee, N.Z. Infantry, 5 April 1944 Age 27' - Dad's 'boss' at rest under MonteCassino. I finally 'meet' Dad's boss.
The entranceway with the dramatic light of a storm about to hit. Rocca Janula (Castle Hill) visble in the background.





(click on the map for an enlarged version)
brochure with map in pdf
 George's photo's of:

The Abbey
Polish Cemetary
Commonwealth Cemetary
Around the town
The Museum



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