Ancient wall damages children’s tombs in Mont Fleuri cemetery |16 February 2024

Mrs Mathiot and Mr Gill inspecting the damages caused by the fallen stone wall (Photo: Patrick Joubert)

People who have their loved ones buried in the children’s designated section of the Mont Fleuri cemetery, will have to contact the burial services, to discuss adjustments that have to be made to the tombs.

The call by the burial services within the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs came yesterday after part of the cemetery was destroyed by an ancient wall which collapsed on Wednesday evening during heavy rainfall.

The ancient wall which encircled the British army’s burial ground, in upper Belvedere, came crashing onto the tombs, while gushing water washed away burial ornaments.

The wall, which was made entirely of rocks and cemented with red earth on the inside, fell during the night. The damages were discovered by senior cemetery supervisor Selwyn Gill during his routine inspection.

Burial services manager Claudy Mathiot is calling on the public to contact them on 4321295 during working hours or to call at their office.

“We advise the public, who come to this section of the cemetery and find the tombs of their loved ones damaged, to get into contact with our office so we can make the necessary arrangements to have them repaired,” said Mrs Mathiot.

Given that some tombs have been washed away completely, leaving black holes only, Mrs Mathiot said the burial services section was working to identify the initial number of the tombs.  

The repair of the tombs will be on a case by case basis depending of the damage, said Mrs Mathiot.

The wall encircling the burial ground of fallen British soldiers was built during the colonial days. This section of the cemetery is managed by the Commonwealth.  

Patrick Joubert