British Royals who are on a three-day tour to the country have visited the Fajara War Cemetery along Kairaba Avenue on Thursday.
The well-pared graveyard for war veterans from Second World War, which was initially in Banjul around the Arch 22, is being maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
During World War 2, The Gambia, along with other British colonies in West Africa, was used as landing and take-off sites for aircrafts flying to towards the North African and Middle East battle fronts.
Bathurst was also used as a naval base. Sea vessels headed for the Far East and India via South Africa used the port at Banjul.
There are 199 identified and 4 unidentified casualties of war, predominantly West African, but also Canadian, British and other nationalities, are buried there. Their graves aligned in straight rows between well-trimmed shrubs.
A RWAFF Memorial Tablet also stands there in tribute to the 33 Gambians who served in the Royal West African Frontier Forces who died whilst serving in West Africa and whose graves are unknown or cannot be properly maintained.
There are also 10 non-war service burials and 3 war graves of other nationalities. Meanwhile, the British royals have arrived in the country on Wednesday, October 31.
They have held discussions with the Gambian leader at State House on Thursday morning before holding a meeting at the McCarthy Square later the same day.
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