Magiagi Cemetery, Apia is on the island of Upolu, Western Samoa. It includes a War Graves Plot.
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MAGIAGI CEMETERY Apia, Western Samoa
Although the “invasion” of Samoa had been a bloodless affair, 11 New Zealanders died during the subsequent occupation and are interred in Magiangi Cemetery, Apia, alongside one casualty from World War II.
Nine died from Illness, the dates on seven of the graves indicating the likelihood of their death being due to the influenza pandemic in 1918. Pvt Buncehall died from injuries sustained in an accident, his cause of death being listed as “concussion”. Pvt Ure also died from an accident - listed as a fall from a balcony. Australian, Ure enlisted as Frank Dowd and appears in the Nominal Rolls under that name. Flying Officer Arthur Ayers, RNZAF. took his own life, whilst being stationed at the meteorological office in Apia.
Sources - Auckland Museum “Cenotaph”, CWGC, For Your Tomorrow, Errol Martyn Vol 2 p 143
“The Samoa (N.Z.) Expeditionary Force 1914–1915” Stephen John Smith 1924.
Western Samoa, consisting of two main and two smaller islands and several islets, was a German possession from 1899 until 29 August 1914, when Apia was seized by a force from New Zealand. The territory remained in military occupation until 1920, when the Mandate for its administration was granted to New Zealand by the League of Nations. The war graves plot in Magiagi Cemetery contains 11 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, and the grave of one airman of the Second World War.
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