- Type of Memorial
- Garden
- WMR Reference Number
- 53989
- Description
- A former burial ground, now a Peace Garden, consisting of area 36m by 30m with a rectangular lake at its centre and enclosed by brick wall c2.4m high. The entrance is to the west, by a chattri (dome pavilion), a red brick square pavilion with Islamic ogee profile arch at centre and a domed roof, 6m tall. At one end is the water feature which consists of three marble tablets, enclosed in a stone frame, which carry the names of those originally buried there. The Peace Garden also features 27 Himalayan birch trees representing the number of servicemen formerly buried at the site, bold strips of pink and white heather orientated towards Mecca, scented plants such as Rosa rugosa and Sarcococca orientalis, two stone ceremonial prayer mats, and benches. An information board outside the garden explains the history of the site and the participation of Indian soldiers in the two world wars. (The information board appears to have replaced the original inscription.)
- Inscription
- MOSLEM CEMETERY/ THIS ENCLOSURE WAS BUILT IN/ 1915 AS A BURIAL GROUND FOR/ INDIAN SOLDIERS WHO LOST/ THEIR LIVES IN SERVICE TO/ THIS COUNTRY DURING THE/ GREAT WAR. THE GRAVES HAVE/ BEEN REMOVED BUT THE WALLS/ REMAIN AS A REMINDER OF THAT/ SACRIFICE AND ITS ASSOCIATION/ WITH THE EASTERN WORLD./ THE HORSELL COMMON/ PRESERVATION SOCIETY/ HOPE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR/ THE COMPLETE RESTORATION/ OF THIS HISTORIC RELIC./ Please do not destroy it./ The Secretary/ Horsell Common Preservation Society/ STATUTORY LISTED HISTORIC BUILDING.
Above the name tablets - FOR GOD WE ARE AND TO GOD WE GO/ In memory and honour of all Muslim soldiers who gave their lives/ for Britain in both World Wars
In the name of God the most merciful the most kind/ Muslim War Cemetery - Peace Garden/ Opened by/ HRH The Earl of Wessex KG GCVO/ on/ 12th Novembern 2015/ Horsell Common Preservation Society Woking Borough Council