Genealogy Chat

Im trying to help my friend Tina find the grave of her 4 year old brother. Her father was in the Army and they were based in Cyprus in the 1960s. Tina was only 6 when her brother died and all she knows is that he was buried in Cyprus. This all happend before the partition of Cyprus in the 70's. Her parents died 20 years ago. Has anyone got any advice as to where we can get help please ? Angie

Hi Angela I can't help you, but a friend (who I am seeing today) was also in the Army in Cyprus. I know he was there in the 70's, not sure about 60's but I will ask him if he can help. I will message you later. Bev x

He would have been buried in a Sovereign Base Area, ( S.B.A.) which is almost like a little part of UK overseas.The cemeteries are beautifully maintained. I know there is one in Dhekelia. I don't know if anything will come up on Google. Maybe SSAFA could help your friend and approach the correct people for her. Gwyn

Hello angela I was in Cyprus in the late 60's/early 70's and I don't remember there being any graveyards on the base areas there (Episkopi and Akrotiri) - but that doesn't mean to say there aren't any. I would agree your best bet is definitley to contact SSAFA who should be able to help. The website address is: http://www.ssafa.org.uk/ Good luck Snowdrops

My brother was in the army in Cyprus in the late 1950's/early 1960's and he was at a base in Nicosia. Kath. x

Thank you all for your help. Tina and I are going to look into the various avenues. Gwyn - I found a website for Dhekelia Garrison and have posted a message on their Forum. Will keep you informed as to how we get on. Angie

My husband was in Dhekelia in the medical corps --- and flown home May 1959 ( after finishing his national service) he can not remember a cemetary there as far as he can recall all the British dead were flown back to the U K Sheila

Angela-I'm nearby Dhekelia,the cemetary has a lot of children,it is beautifully maintained,let me know if I can help x

Linda I have sent you a message Thank you so much for your offer of help. Angie

Sheila Tina has no idea as to why he was buried there and not brought back to England. All she knows is that her parents paid each year to have her brothers grave looked after. Angie

has this worked I wonder

Just to update. Many thanks to those that offered help and advice with special thanks to Linda in Cyprus who found the grave for me along with the following information: Ricky died aged 5 on 26th March 1963. He is buried in Dhekelia Cemetary. All the headstones of the children and dependants are identical (presumably army issue) with no parents names or messages. Just a simple cross above the name. It's under a fir tree off the main footpath from the front entrance. Tina's youngest brother Stephen was born in Dhekelia on 24th March 1963 [which happened to be Mothering Sunday] ...... just 2 days before little Ricky died ........ so much happiness, so much sorrow...... Angie

Thank you for the update, Angie. As you say, alot of mixed emotions there but I'm glad that you have been able to help your friend to find the grave. Cyprus is a beautiful place and I'm sure it will be a comfort to Tina to know that she's found Ricky. Gwyn

Angela at least the grave was found and you hvae been able to pass that on to your friend. Snowdrops