This article is part of a series on veterans’ graves.
Contrary to popular belief, not all veterans’ graves are considered “war graves” — even if the headstone lists their war service.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of confusion surrounding this subject. To make matters worse, there are some within the military research community that continue to peddle misinformation. This also extends to the WA Metropolitan Cemeteries Board, which continually uses incorrect terminology when describing veterans’ graves.
This article intends to clear up this confusion by defining each category of war commemoration in Australia.
Commonwealth War Dead
Commonwealth war dead are commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). These graves are known as Commonwealth war graves.
The following eligibility criteria apply to members of the Commonwealth Armed Forces:
- The death occurred during the official war period; and
- was the result of:
- wounds inflicted or accident occurring during active service;
- disease contracted or commencing while on active service; or
- disease aggravated by active service.
The “official war period” is defined as:
- WWI — from August 4, 1914 to August 31, 1921; and
- WWII — from September 3, 1939 to December 31, 1947.
There is also particular eligibility criteria for the following:
- Auxiliary organisations;
- Mercantile Marine (WWI);
- Commonwealth Merchant Navy (WWII); and
- Civilian war dead.
Further information can be found in the CWGC’s “Criteria Policy”.
The Commonwealth war grave of Private Niko Pincetic in the Perth War Cemetery. He was originally buried at Karrakatta Cemetery, but was exhumed to make way for a mausoleum.
Australian War Dead
The Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG) is responsible for commemorating Australian war dead (ie Australians who died during non-Commonwealth conflicts). These conflicts include the Korean and Vietnam wars.
The OAWG website states that:
“We will provide an official commemoration for all veterans whose death has been accepted by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) as related to their war service.”1
If the veteran died during the respective war periods, they will be eligible for an “official war grave”. If they died after, they are eligible for an “official post-war commemoration”.
Official commemoration is also provided to some other veterans, including:
- Ex-prisoners of war;
- Multiple amputees; and
- Victoria Cross (VC) recipients.
The OAWG is also responsible for maintaining Commonwealth war graves within Australia.
Official Post-war Commemorations
The OAWG provides official post-war commemorations to veterans whose deaths were attributable to their war service, but that occurred after the respective war periods.
This includes veterans who fought in the World Wars, as well as non-Commonwealth conflicts.
More information can be found in this brochure.
The official post-war commemoration plaque of Private William Merry Crompton in the WA Garden of Remembrance. His original grave plaque at Karrakatta Cemetery was removed and destroyed as part of the redevelopment program.
Private memorials
By far, the most common type of war commemoration is a private memorial.
As the name suggests, a private memorial is one that was placed on the veteran’s grave by family, rather than by the CWGC or OAWG. Therefore, these agencies have no control over the memorial or grave.
Many of these memorials contain emblems, such as the Rising Sun. Please note that these emblems do not necessarily indicate official commemoration; they can also be applied to private memorials with permission from the OAWG.
In a number of cases, these veterans are, indeed, eligible for official commemoration. If it is within the OAWG’s jurisdiction, for example, they may decide to place an official commemoration on the grave or in a “Garden of Remembrance” (whichever is agreed upon). There are several Gardens of Remembrance across the country, and more information can be found in this brochure.
The private memorial (family grave) of Private William Alfred Taylor at Karrakatta Cemetery, prior to the section’s redevelopment.
Pictured up top are the graves of repatriated Vietnam Veterans R N Hubble, B G Mowbray, B M Pengilly, B C Beilken and R T Carroll in the Perth War Cemetery.
- Office of Australian War Graves, “Official commemoration” (retrieved November 2023) <https://www.dva.gov.au/recognition/office-australian-war-graves/commemorate-our-war-dead/official-commemoration>. ↩︎
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