War graves

Unidentified members of No 5 Company of the Australian War Graves Detachment at work digging graves at the Villers-Bretonneux cemetery.  C971051

Location of graves

Australian servicemen and women who have died in conflict have been buried in 83 countries including Australia. Memorials to the missing commemorate those who have no known grave.

Responsibility for maintenance

War graves are maintained by the Office of Australian War Graves (Department of Veterans' Affairs), many by arrangement with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The Office of Australian War Graves also offers advice on

  • visiting war cemeteries
  • finding the location of individual graves
  • obtaining photographs of graves
  • using a service badge on private memorials

Memorial plaques

Eligible veterans are entitled to official commemoration in the form of a memorial plaque. "Eligible veterans" include

  • those who died as a result of operational service
  • Victoria Cross winners
  • those receiving a Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI) pension
  • multiple amputees with proven war service
  • ex-prisoners of war

The Office of Australian War Graves can provide more information about eligibility.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Register

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains a database of the names and places of commemoration of men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died during the First and Second World Wars. The database can be searched via their website.

Further Information

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