NSW: Aussie war dead may be dug up for housing development:rpt

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2001
NSW: Aussie war dead may be dug up for housing development:rpt

SYDNEY, April 15 AAP - The Federal Government will investigate claims the remains of
Australian servicemen will be dug up from a Singapore cemetery and thrown into the sea
to make way for a housing development.

Veteran Affairs Minister Bruce Scott today said war records would be checked to confirm
if any Australians were buried at Bidapaki cemetery after a report that at least two of
Australia's war dead were laid to rest there.

The Singapore government plans to reclaim the cemetery the site for 12,000 housing
units and was reportedly planning to throw the bodies into the sea.

"I have asked for an immediate investigation and a cross referencing of all the official
war dead and the missing from Singapore to be cross checked," he told Sky News today.

Most Australians who perished in the battle of Singapore are buried at Kranjii cemetery.

The New South Wales RSL president, Rusty Priest, said it was unlikely any Australians
were buried at the cemetery earmarked for development.

He said he had checked with the Australian War Graves Commission and they had no records
of Australian servicemen buried there.

"I couldn't recollect any being there and I spoke to the director of War Graves and
he wasn't aware of any," he said.

AAP aa/cdh

KEYWORD: WARGRAVES

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