The Bomana War Cemetery, located approximately 19 kilometers northeast of Port Moresby, is the largest war cemetery in Papua New Guinea and one of the most significant World War II memorial sites in the Pacific region. 

Key Facts & Figures

  • Total Burials: 3,824 Commonwealth servicemen from World War II. 

  • Unidentified Graves: 699 of the burials are of unidentified soldiers. 

  • Nationalities Represented:

    • Approximately 3,353 Australians

    • 440 British

    • 6 New Zealanders

    • 1 Dutch national

    • Papua New Guinean soldiers, often buried under Australian units 

  • Established: 1942 by the Australian Army; officially dedicated on 19 October 1953 by Field Marshal Sir William Slim. 

  • Designer: A.G. Robertson. 

  • Notable Burials:

    • John Alexander French and Bruce Steel Kingsbury, both Australian Victoria Cross recipients. 

Historical Significance

Bomana War Cemetery serves as the final resting place for soldiers who perished in key WWII campaigns across Papua and Bougainville. Many of these soldiers were initially buried near battlefields such as the Kokoda Track, Buna, Gona, and Wau, and were later reinterred at Bomana for centralized commemoration. 

The cemetery also includes graves of British Royal Artillery soldiers captured at the fall of Singapore, who died in captivity and were initially buried on Bailale Island in the Solomons before being moved to Bomana. 

Port Moresby Memorial

Situated behind the cemetery, the Port Moresby Memorial honors nearly 750 members of the Australian Army (including Papua and New Guinea local forces), the Australian Merchant Navy, and the Royal Australian Air Force who died in Papua and have no known grave. 

Visiting Information

  • Location: Pilgrims Way, Bomana, approximately 19 km from Port Moresby city center. 

  • Opening Hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. 

  • Admission: Free to the public.

  • Facilities: Well-maintained lawns, white marble headstones, a Stone of Remembrance, and the Cross of Sacrifice. 

  • Accessibility: Easily reachable by car; often included in historical tours alongside the Kokoda Track Memorial at Owers’ Corner. 

  • Visitor Etiquette: Respectful attire and behavior are expected; photography is permitted but should be conducted discreetly. 

Cultural and Memorial Events

Bomana War Cemetery is a focal point for ANZAC Day commemorations on April 25th, attracting thousands of visitors annually who come to pay their respects to the fallen. 

For more detailed information or to plan a visit, you can refer to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's official page.(cwgc.org)