Here Lies Our Heroes...

Salam and greeting.

The morning was in drizled, drop by drop of raindrops sprinkling down at the foothill of Bukit Larut. The grey clouds were surrounding the sky as if a mourning sign nature shows to the departure of another hero for the episode. If it is in the USA, there will be a bugle or trumpet sound to the tune of Taps can be heard. But since Malaysia is one of the Commonwealth countries, most likely it was the tune of the Last Post being played. Stand smartly in their rows, the comrades putting up their hands for their last salute to their departed friend.




Well, that might be the last respect ceremony given to those being buried at the World War II Memorial Cemetery here in Taiping. They were some of those forgotten heroes that have died fighting and protecting our country during the tragic war episode. And some even are not from this country but they have done their part till their last drop of blood.




This cemetery was created after the end of Japanese Occupation in Malaya after the Second World War in 1945. The remnants of those soldiers that have died during the war were brought from the battlefields, numerous temporary burial grounds, villages and other civil cemeteries identified. They were reburied here with full respect and as remembrance for future generation.





The cemetery is separated into two parts by the Waterfall Road. If one were to head towards the foothill of Bukit Larut on this road, the left side of the cemetery is plots for Muslims and Gurkhas soldiers. While on the right side of the road are plots for Christians soldiers. The cemetery consists of over 850 plots all together and more than 500 plots are of whom that was unidentified.




The cemetery is being maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. They have kept a good track record of those who have been buried here or at any other World War Memorial Cemeteries around the world.




With that, Taiping Heritage Cult salutes to all those who had died fighting and protecting our country, regardless of who they are, what they were and where there were from. They make us to remember how hard it was in the early days of our nationhood and how we really need appreciate it.

May they all be in peace. God bless them.