In grave need of assistance

This morning, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month there will be a minute of silence observed at Bahrain's Christian Cemetery where the formal Remembrance Day service will be held to commemorate the many that have fallen in wars all around the world.

The service will be attended by many ambassadors from the countries involved in various wars, along with local dignitaries, military personnel and visiting Chelsea Pensioners (British ex-servicemen), Geoffrey Crowther, Ian Clark and Frederick Bland.

Originally a day to mark the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars, this date and time honour the occasion, in 1918, when the major hostilities of the First World War were officially announced over. Today though, Remembrance Day also encompasses all those lost in the many wars since then. It's a time to honour the sacrifices made by those who have given their own lives so that we might enjoy the freedom to live ours.

For many of us, thoughts of the price paid for these freedoms rarely, if ever, cross our minds except when we gasp in horror for a few seconds at the atrocities reported in the media on a daily basis. Then we move on to our next thought and forget all about the men and women who put their lives on the line every day so that we can do exactly that.

And, what better place for us here in Bahrain to remember those we owe so much to than the war memorial, in the form of a small brick built structure, erected at the cemetery in 1993 to commemorate the dead of the two world wars and the restoration of the cemetery.

The first of the two Christian cemeteries in Bahrain, known as the 'Old' cemetery, is in Manama, at the junction of Zubara Avenue and Al Maarif Avenue. It is believed that the original plot of land for this cemetery was given as a gift by the former Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa, in response to a request from the British assistant political agent John Calcott Gaskin.

The first burial was held at the cemetery on July 19, 1901 for Majeed, a child (the son of Amin, a Christian convert) who died as the result of a fall from a roof. The first recorded military funeral held at the cemetery was for flight lieutenant Peter Dabney Heinemann R.N. who died on December 21, 1931 when his 'flycatcher' float plane crashed into the sea whilst machine gunning floating targets as part of a display for local dignitaries.

The final burial in this cemetery, took place on December 3, 1966 with the burial of the still born infant son of the Reverend H. E. Franken, an American citizen, who also conducted the burial service. The cemetery was then closed and the 'New' cemetery is now in use.

Sadly the 'Old' cemetery walls, which are close to 100 years old and made of old coral rock are in need of major repair but restoring them is a complicated and costly undertaking. It is estimated that BD25,000 needs to be raised to help with the restoration.

While the 'Old' cemetery is usually closed to the public, it will be open for the next four Fridays from 9am to 5pm, to allow people from across Bahrain to see for themselves the history of this surprisingly beautiful, calm and peaceful oasis in the heart of Hoora.

Volunteers are also welcome to help look after the cemeteries in their spare time and help with watering, sweeping leaves or providing materials such as small stones for the graves.

Anyone who would like to make a donation, volunteer or help out can contact the St Christopher's Cathedral office or Rachel Bainbridge on 36556245.