Continuing the Legacy: Caring for Kohima & Imphal War Cemeteries

Two unique war cemeteries commemorate the fallen of the Battle of Kohima and Imphal. Discover the work of the CWGC staff who care for these important sites.

The Battle of Kohima and Imphal

Imphal to Kohima: Jemader Karnail Singh of 7th Cavalry shakes hands with 33 Corps Major AC T Brotherton.

The battle of Kohima and Imphal has been called Britain’s greatest-ever battle.

It was fought between March – July 1944 in northern India, close to the border with Burma (present-day Myanmar).

The Japanese goal was to capture key airfields and instigate an invasion of India proper.

After months of desperate fighting Indian and British troops held the line at Kohima and Imphal and pushed the Imperial Japanese Army back into Burma.

Kohima & Imphal is regarded as the turning point in the Far East Campaign. The strategy and tactics used by the British and Indian units here, commanded by General William Slim, were highly effective. They showed that the seemingly unbeatable Japanese could be defeated decisively.

But, as ever, victory came at a heavy cost to the British and Indian forces.

Kohima War Cemetery

The Kohima War Cemetery stands as a solemn reminder of the valour, sacrifice, and resilience displayed by Allied forces during one of the most critical battles of World War II.

It serves as a place of remembrance and reflection, honouring the memory of those who fought and died in defence of freedom and democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.

Today, over 1,400 Commonwealth servicemen are buried here. More than 900 Hindu and Sikh soldiers who were cremated in accordance with their faith are commemorated on the Kohima Cremation Memorial within the cemetery.

There are also many memorials placed by comrades and veterans in memory of those buried here. Inscribed on the 2nd Division Memorial is the famous Kohima Epitaph:

When you go home, tell them of us and say,
for your tomorrow, we gave our today.

Caring for Kohima War Cemetery

Kohima War Cemetery presents some interesting challenges for our teams.

Visitors

Kohima is a busy site, attracting up to 500 people per day. On anniversaries and times of remembrance, this number can increase to up to 2,000. Such footfall can pose a challenge when it comes to turf maintenance.

Terrain

Kohima sits on exposed high ground, situated on several terrace plots with inclined slopes. Surfaces and terrain is uneven in places. Moving machinery from plot to plot can prove difficult, but worth it given how pristine our teams keep Kohima war cemetery.

Weather

Monsoon season starts in April and May in this part of the world and can last until October.

Heavy monsoon rains can cause the turf to become soggy, limiting mobility for staff and visitors alike.

Added to the heavy rains are high-powered winds. In March, the wind scatters leaves and branches of the surrounding trees on the different plots making it a herculean task to rake them manually on a daily basis.

The dry season throws up its unique challenges. Now, the problem isn’t heavy, waterlogged turf; it’s getting water to the area.

Seasonal challenges are now being amplified by climate change.

What it means to care for Kohima War Cemetery

We asked some of the gardeners their thoughts on what it means to look after such a unique war cemetery like Kohima War Cemetery.

“Proud to be working at the Kohima War Cemetery as part of the Commonwealth War Graves as the Commission provides the staffs with good facilities and good tools for the job”, said Kekhrie Nipu, one of the gardeners at Kohima.

For Khrieketoulie Gwirie, working here allows him to engage with visitors from around the globe: “I am happy working at the Kohima War Cemetery as all the visitors appreciate and admire our work. We also get the opportunity to meet different people from different countries.”

And, of course, remembrance and commemoration are never far from our gardener’s minds, such as Neikietuo Vimera: “Proud and happy to be working here for the people who gave up their lives for their Nation.”

Imphal War Cemetery

This cemetery was begun during the war and more than 500 servicemen were laid to rest here. After the fighting was over the Imphal plain and the surrounding mountainous jungles were searched and the graves and remains of 1,000 other personnel were brought here for burial.

The cemetery was designed in the style of a Mughal garden, using geometry and water to create an atmosphere of calm reflection. The entrance is a late example of the Indo-British Imperial style developed in the 19th Century.

Today, Imphal War Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 1,600 Commonwealth service personnel, almost 140 of whom remain unidentified.

Caring for Imphal War Cemetery

The gardening team discuss the day's work at Imphal.

Like at Kohima, the gardeners and maintenance teams caring for Imphal War Cemetery and the memorials within face challenges unique to the site.

Regional conflict

Regional conflict near Imphal caused a ten-month closure of the war cemetery, during which time the cemetery fell below CWGC operational standards.

“The cemetery had to close for ten months recently with no maintenance at all due to the civil unrest, considering the safety of the staff,” Head Gardener Thounaojam Shamungou Singh said. “The condition of the cemetery looks quite bad now. We have just returned to work and are doing our best to bring the cemetery back to standard.”

“We went through a very disturbing situation recently where we had to close the cemetery for 10 months,” added gardener Mayengbam Ojit Singh. “It is very encouraging that the Commission is very concerned about our safety.”

Now the teams are beginning their meticulous work bringing Imphal back to top condition. Despite having to start from scratch, everyone is committed to breathing new life into Imphal.

Work is ongoing but rest assured the results will be worth waiting for.

Weeding is a constant activity after heavy rain.

Weather

Maintaining cemeteries in Imphal during the monsoon season presents significant challenges due to the region's heavy rainfall and associated issues such as stagnant water and soil erosion. Whenever there is continuous rain for 2-3 days, the water gets stagnant in the borders for 5-6 days, killing the border plants. Due to this, border plants need to be replanted 4-5 times every year, which makes it quite challenging to maintain the standard.

Imphal experiences a subtropical climate with heavy monsoon rains during the wet season, which often leads to erosion, soil instability, and damage to graves, headstones, and landscaping. High humidity levels and fluctuating temperatures also contribute to the deterioration of structures and memorial features over time.

The weather in Imphal during winter is characterized by dry and dusty conditions. This poses challenges related to water management and labour-intensive irrigation requirements.

Seasonal conditions swing from too much water to too little...

 

What it means to care for Imphal War Cemetery

For gardeners and maintenance teams responsible for looking after the Imphal War Cemetery, their role goes beyond simply tending to the physical aspects of the site.

It encompasses a deeper sense of duty, reverence, and commitment to honouring the memory of those who sacrificed their lives during the Battle of Imphal.

Each pedestal represents a life lost in the service of their country, and gardeners and maintenance teams feel a profound sense of duty to honour the memory of these individuals. They take pride in ensuring that the cemetery grounds are maintained with the utmost care and respect, creating a fitting tribute to the fallen.

Gardeners and maintenance teams strive to create a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing environment within the cemetery grounds and are currently working on recovering site standards in terms of horticulture, works and health and safety majorly.

Discover the Legacy of Liberation with Commonwealth War Graves

The Legacy of Liberation marks the 80th anniversaries of several pivotal moments during the second world war. From Kohima and Imphal to the D-Day Landings, the Legacy of Liberation remembers these remarkable events.

Join us to mark these historic moments. Visit The Legacy of Liberation today to learn more.