Tehran War Cemetery & Memorial

[Peter Bennett]

In view of the current political climate in Iran, will the War Cemetery & Memorial be safe ?

Cemetery: TEHRAN WAR CEMETERY

Country: Iran

Locality: unspecified

Visiting Information: Visitors are advised to book their visit through the British Embassy as the Tehran War Cemetery is situated within the British Embassy residential compound at Gulhek, which is approximately 13 kilometres from Tehran. It is located at No. 34 Dolat Street Sharariati Avenue, Tehran.

Location Information: Tehran War Cemetery is situated within the British Embassy residential compound at Gulhek, which is approximately 13 kilometres from Tehran. It is located at No. 34 Dolat Street Sharariati Avenue, Tehran. Visitors are advised to book their visit through the British Embassy. When you arrive at the cemetery frontage, you will see a series of door bells on the right hand side of the front wall. Ring No 11 which will infrom the caretaker to open the entrance door which is situated in the centre of the wall. Within the cemetery is the Tehran Memorial commemorating casualties from both World Wars. The Memorial is in the form of six free standing memorial walls and commemorates casualties of the Indian, United Kingdom and New Zealand Forces who lost their lives during the campaign in Iran (formerly known as Persia) and who have no known grave. It also commemorates some of those who died in the neighbouring regions of Russia whose graves are unknown or unmaintainable.

Historical Information: The War Cemetery was built in 1962. There are now 412 Commonwealth burials of the 1914-1918 war, 13 of which are unidentified, commemorated in this site. There are 152 Commonwealth burials of the 1939-1945 war commemorated here. In addition there are also 14 non world war burials and 25 Foreign National burials. All the 1914-1918 burials in Tehran War Cemetery have been concentrated from the following cemeteries:- AKHBARABAD PROTESTANT CEMETERY (later known as Tehran Military Cemetery) CHASHMEH-i-ZULIAK ANGLO PERSIAN OILFIELDS CEMETERY (later known as Masjid-I-sulaiman Cemetery) HAMADAN MILITARY CEMETERY, KAZVIN BRITISH WAR CEMETERY, NAIBUND BRITISH CEMETERY, RESHIRE BRITISH CEMETERY, RESHT ARMENIAN CEMETERY, SHIRAZ BRITISH CEMETERY, and TEHRAN MILITARY CEMETERY. Included in the 1914-1918 commemorations were members of 'Dunsterforce', a British mission set up by Major-General Dunsterville in 1918. Their purpose was to organise the forces of the Transcaucasian Federal Republic (comprising Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia) to enable them to withstand a Turkish attack. Their task was impeded by constant civil war, and in May of that year, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia separately declared their independence. 'Dunsterforce' assumed a more direct military role when Baku was under threat of a Turkish attack. In August, 1918 reinforced by about 1000 British Infantry, it occupied Baku to prevent the port and oil-fields from falling under Turkish control. However the following month saw the evacuation of Baku by the British due to the superior numbers of the Turkish force. The British returned to Baku after the Armistice and remained there as an occupying force until September, 1919.

No. of Identified Casualties: 584

[dycer]

Peter,

It i.e. the Cemetery is in Iranian hands.

One could argue that "if they hate the great Satan that much" they should destroy the Cemetery which after all,shows the legacy of a previous Occupying/Colonial Power.

It is to be hoped the Cemetery is just left alone and despite current political differences between UK and Iran CWGC staff are allowed free and safe access.

George

[roel22]

Peter,

It i.e. the Cemetery is in Iranian hands.

One could argue that "if they hate the great Satan that much" they should destroy the Cemetery which after all,shows the legacy of a previous Occupying/Colonial Power.

It is to be hoped the Cemetery is just left alone and despite current political differences between UK and Iran CWGC staff are allowed free and safe access.

For what it's worth: I recently met a few Iranians during a trip to Oman. Extremely friendly people, offered me drinks (and a smoke from their waterpipe). Very western-looking and relaxed. Fortunately not all Iranians are ayatollahs.

Roel

[silkman3811]

Just the ones that actually run the country...

For what it's worth: I recently met a few Iranians during a trip to Oman. Extremely friendly people, offered me drinks (and a smoke from their waterpipe). Very western-looking and relaxed. Fortunately not all Iranians are ayatollahs.

Roel

[roel22]

Exactly...