The Fajara War Cemetery, on Kairaba Avenue (Pipeline Road), has well manicured lawns and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. During World War 2, The Gambia, along with other British colonies in West Africa, was used as a landing and take-off site for aircraft flying to towards the North African and Middle East battle fronts. Bathurst was also used as a naval base. Sea vessels headed for the Far East, and India via South Africa used the port at Banjul.

There are 199 identified (4 unidentified) casualties of war, predominantly West African, but also Canadian, British and other nationalities, are interred here, their graves aligned in straight rows between well trimmed shrubs. A R.W.A.F.F. Memorial Tablet also stands here in tribute to the 33 Gambians who served in the Royal West African Frontier Forces who died whilst serving in West Africa and whose graves are unknown or cannot be properly maintained. There are also 10 non-war service burials and 3 war graves of other nationalities.

[Details taken from cwgc.org]

Note: The abbreviation R.W.A.F.F. that appears in many records stands for Royal West African Field Force. Also that several of those buried here died of Blackwater fever: Blackwater fever is a complication of malaria infection in which red blood cells burst in the bloodstream (hemolysis), releasing hemoglobin directly into the blood vessels and into the urine, frequently leading to kidney failure.

Database contains 200 records of World War 2 Servicemens' Burials - 6 January, 2021
Surname: Forenames: Regiment or Branch of Service:

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