Kisumu, Kenya — Africa (Sub-Saharan Africa)
Kenya in the Second World War
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, March 1, 2024
1. Kenya in the Second World War Marker
As in the First World War, when the country was the base for the earlier stages of the campaign in German East Africa, Kenya became an important base in the Second World War - this time in operations across her northern frontier for the conquest of Italian East Africa. Kenya was the assembly point for troops sent from other parts of the Commonwealth for the campaign, the site of base hospitals, convalescent centres and supply depots and, after the operations in Italian East Africa had been successfully concluded, the training ground for East African troops destined for other theatres.
The Kenya battalions of the King's African Rifles, which had fought with distinction in the First World War, were raised to many times their peace-time number and supporting-arms and services were formed so that the East African brigades and divisions which subsequently took the field were complete and self-supporting.
They took a full part in the campaigns in Madagascar and Burma, as well as in Italian East Africa, and their feats of arms will be remembered equally with those of the forces of other Commonwealth countries
this page online
African soldiers who fell in battle are buried in the war cemeteries, or commemorated on memorials, in the campaign areas. Many who died in Kenya are also buried in war cemeteries but others, whose graves are in places where they cannot be properly maintained, are commemorated on the memorial in Nairobi War Cemetery which carries the names of 480 East African soldiers.
Kisumu Cemetery
This cemetery contains 18 burials of the First and 47 of the Second World War. By forces they comprise 30 South African, 24 British, 2 Australian, and 9 German.
This cemetery was constructed and is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Erected by Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the The Cross of Sacrifice series list.
Location. 0° 4.986′ S, 34° 44.386′ E. Memorial is in Kisumu. It is on Unnamed road just west of Mumias Road (Route B1), on the right when traveling
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, March 1, 2024
2. Kenya in the Second World War Marker
The marker is near the cemetery gate entrance.
Regionally, it is in Africa, specifically in Sub-Saharan Africa, in East Africa, in the Great Rift Valley, on the Swahili Coast, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Who are the Luo? / The Mythical Descendants of Ramogi (approx. 3.8 kilometers away).
Also see . . . Kisumu Cemetery at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. (Submitted on March 27, 2024.)
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, March 1, 2024
3. The Cross of Sacrifice at the Kisumu War Cemetery
Near the cross is the grave of Stanley William Ives.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, March 1, 2024
4. Grave of Francis Charles Dyer, Royal Air Force
He died on October 23, 1945, some few weeks after the end of World War II.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, March 1, 2024
5. The Kisumu War Cemetery
Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 276 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 27, 2024, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
