15 July 2023 - History Field Trip - Sai Wan War Cemetery

On 15th July 2023, the History Club embarked on our third field trip to the Sai Wan War Cemetery, led by our history teachers – Mr Thomas Ma and Mr Wilson Choi. As soon as we stepped into the cemetery, we were greeted by rows upon rows of white headstones, descending in terraces towards the sea, each marking the final resting place of a brave soldier who had given their life in the Battle of Hong Kong. At the cemetery entrance stands the Sai Wan Memorial, where over two thousand names of fallen soldiers are engraved and commemorated on the panels. Among which is a familiar name — John Osborn, recipient of a Victoria Cross awarded for the defence of Hong Kong, whose memorial was visited by the club during our first field trip to the Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail.

Being born in the decades following World War II and having grown up in a time of relative peace and stability, war to many students may seem unfamiliar and abstract, something that happens in distant parts of the world or history books. However, this trip to the Sai Wan War Cemetery is a powerful reminder that war has real and long-standing consequences, and those who gave their lives in the name of war deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. This trip left a lasting impression on all who attended, each leaving with a renewed sense of appreciation and a deeper understanding of the history of our beloved city.

S4U (7) Cheung Anya