The large Heliopolis War Cemetery is situated a short six kilometre drive from Cairo airport, and about ten kilometres from the centre of Cairo. It is recommended as a site for anyone who only has a short space of time to spend in Cairo, as it is easily accessed via a short taxi ride from the airport along major roads. The easiest access is via Nabil el Wakkard Street to the north. Visitors staying in Cairo for longer periods will also find great value in the site, as it is a large and scenic Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery containing the graves of about 1830 identified casualties, including approximately 35 Australians. The suburb of Heliopolis (or ‘New Egypt’), within which the cemetery is based, is also a relatively new and modern part of Cairo. It is home to wealthy Egyptians and international visitors such as politicians, sports personalities and other celebrities. Thus, those with more time on their hands may also like to explore other areas of the suburb.
Visitors arriving at the Heliopolis War Cemetery by the front gate are confronted by a large pavilion that now hosts the Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial. The Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) Memorial is a relatively recent addition that serves to commemorate the approximately 4000 men who died whilst serving with the Indian Army in Egypt and Palestine during the First World War, but who have no known grave. A similar memorial was originally based at Port Tewfik, but this was destroyed during the Arab-Israeli conflict of the 1970s.
The commemorative War Stone for this cemetery can also be seen through the gates in the middle of the pavilion, in the centre of this image. Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries feature a number of common features that link the sites together, and the War Stone is one of these.
Image: The Heliopolos (Port Tewfik) Memorial at the front of the Heliopolis War Cemetery.
Creator: Christopher Karykides