COWRA WAR CEMETERY
New South Wales
Australia
GPS Coordinates Latitude: -33.80182 Longitude: 148.69167
Location Information
Cowra is a small town in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. The cemetery is located to the north of the town, close to Canowindra road.
Historical Information
During the Second World War there was a large camp for Japanese prisoners of war at Cowra, which was the scene of a mass outbreak in August 1944. Two men of the Australian military forces who lost their lives during the incident were awarded (posthumously) the George Cross.
COWRA WAR CEMETERY contains 27 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.
The war cemetery is situated within COWRA GENERAL CEMETERY, which itself contains one First World War burial and six from the Second World War.
Cowra is a small town in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. The cemetery is located to the north of the town, close to Canowindra road.
Historical Information
During the Second World War there was a large camp for Japanese prisoners of war at Cowra, which was the scene of a mass outbreak in August 1944. Two men of the Australian military forces who lost their lives during the incident were awarded (posthumously) the George Cross.
COWRA WAR CEMETERY contains 27 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War.
The war cemetery is situated within COWRA GENERAL CEMETERY, which itself contains one First World War burial and six from the Second World War.
N103951 Private
Benjamin Gower Hardy, G. C.
A. C. M. F. 22nd Grn. Bn. Australian Infantry
5th August 1944, aged 45.
Plot D. D. 11.
Son of Benjamin. Gower Hardy and Emily Hardy, of Willoughby.
The following details are given in the London Gazette of 1st September, 1950
Private Benjamin Gower Hardy was on duty with another soldier as the crew of a Vickers machine gun at the No. 12 Prisoner of War Camp, Cowra, guarding the compound in which were interned over 1000 Japanese prisoners of war. On the night of 4th-5th August, 1944, the prisoners staged a mass outbreak, stormed over the perimeter, and bore down on the machine gun crew. Private Hardy and his companion stood their ground and continued to work the gun until they were killed, displaying outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty against an overwhelming onslaught. Private Hardy met his death in the true British spirit of sacrifice for his country.
Benjamin Gower Hardy, G. C.
A. C. M. F. 22nd Grn. Bn. Australian Infantry
5th August 1944, aged 45.
Plot D. D. 11.
Son of Benjamin. Gower Hardy and Emily Hardy, of Willoughby.
The following details are given in the London Gazette of 1st September, 1950
Private Benjamin Gower Hardy was on duty with another soldier as the crew of a Vickers machine gun at the No. 12 Prisoner of War Camp, Cowra, guarding the compound in which were interned over 1000 Japanese prisoners of war. On the night of 4th-5th August, 1944, the prisoners staged a mass outbreak, stormed over the perimeter, and bore down on the machine gun crew. Private Hardy and his companion stood their ground and continued to work the gun until they were killed, displaying outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty against an overwhelming onslaught. Private Hardy met his death in the true British spirit of sacrifice for his country.
N244527 Private
Ralph Jones, G. C.
A. C. M. F. 22nd Grn. Bn. Australian Infantry
5th August 1944, aged 43.
Plot D. D. 10.
Son of Henry William and Eliza Jones.
The following details are given in the London Gazette of 1st September, 1950.
Private Ralph Jones was on duty with another soldier as the crew of a Vickers machine gun at the No. 12 Prisoner of war Camp, Cowra, guarding the compound in which were interned over 1000 Japanese prisoners of war. On the night of 4th-5th August, 1944, the prisoners staged a mass outbreak, stormed over the perimeter, and bore down on the machine gun crew. Private Jones and his companion stood their ground and continued to work the gun until they were killed, displaying outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty against an overwhelming onslaught. Private Jones met his death in the true British spirit of sacrifice for his country.
Ralph Jones, G. C.
A. C. M. F. 22nd Grn. Bn. Australian Infantry
5th August 1944, aged 43.
Plot D. D. 10.
Son of Henry William and Eliza Jones.
The following details are given in the London Gazette of 1st September, 1950.
Private Ralph Jones was on duty with another soldier as the crew of a Vickers machine gun at the No. 12 Prisoner of war Camp, Cowra, guarding the compound in which were interned over 1000 Japanese prisoners of war. On the night of 4th-5th August, 1944, the prisoners staged a mass outbreak, stormed over the perimeter, and bore down on the machine gun crew. Private Jones and his companion stood their ground and continued to work the gun until they were killed, displaying outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty against an overwhelming onslaught. Private Jones met his death in the true British spirit of sacrifice for his country.
Funeral held in Cowra of NX177735 Private (Pte) Colin Walter Jones, VX94193 Pte Norman Brian Young and VX94272 Pte Geoffrey Donald Boyle, all of the 19th Australian Infantry Training Battalion.
On the 31 August 1944, Privates Jones, Young and Boyle, along with their instructor, QX5039 Lieutenant (Lt) Valentine Colin Read, a veteran of the Mediterranean campaigns, died from injuries accidentally received while engaged in field firing exercises at Howell's Creek, south east of Cowra, by the premature explosion of a mortar bomb. At the coronial enquiry held at Cowra on 13 September 1944, it was recorded that the deaths were not caused by neglect of any persons involved in the incident.
On the 31 August 1944, Privates Jones, Young and Boyle, along with their instructor, QX5039 Lieutenant (Lt) Valentine Colin Read, a veteran of the Mediterranean campaigns, died from injuries accidentally received while engaged in field firing exercises at Howell's Creek, south east of Cowra, by the premature explosion of a mortar bomb. At the coronial enquiry held at Cowra on 13 September 1944, it was recorded that the deaths were not caused by neglect of any persons involved in the incident.
