6 Squadron RAF, Ma'Asker & Habbaniya Cemeteries
The original purpose of my website was to document the early years of 6 Squadron. This evolved from my first book, For God, England & Ethel, the story of my grandfather who served with 6 Squadron on the Western Front during WW1. I also wanted to display some of the research material that didn't end up in the book. The website has expanded a lot over the past twenty years but 6 Squadron still plays a major part, with sections on the 6 Squadron journal, the Tin-opener, the squadron's move to Mesopotamia after WW1, Facts & Figures on the squadron's early operations, the types of aircraft on charge during that time, numerous WW1 photos, the 6 Squadron Roll of Honour as well as profiles of several 6 Squadron pioneers.
The Royal Air Force took over control of all British Forces in Iraq in October 1922, requiring a bigger RAF station than its old HQ in Baghdad West. The new site, named RAF Hinaidi, was established in the south of the city, eight miles south-east of Baghdad West, on the eastern bank of the River Tigris. To protect the low-lying land from flooding, a bund was constructed around the perimeter of the cantonment, eight and a quarter miles in length and surrounding an area of 2,500 acres. RAF Hinaidi was operational from 1921 until January 1938, by which time all British operations had been moved to RAF Dhibban, later renamed RAF Habbaniya.
Throughout the operational life of RAF Hinaidi, most British servicemen and women from all arms of the British Forces who died in Southern Iraq were buried at the Hinaidi RAF Peace Cemetery, located at the south-western corner of the RAF cantonment. The land upon which RAF Hinaidi stood was handed over to the Iraqi government in January 1938 with the exception of the cemetery grounds which remained the property of the British Ministry of Defence. The cemetery was to be maintained in perpetuity by the Imperial War Graves Commission, name later changed to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Sadly, over the next eighty years, the cemetery (since renamed the Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery or more simply the Rasheed Cemetery) containing 300* graves gradually fell into disrepair and by 1975 was abandoned altogether by the CWGC (click HERE for a timeline of the cemetery).
I first became aware of the appalling condition of the Ma'Asker RAF Cemetery in 2018 whilst researching the death of a WW1 'ace' pilot who was killed in 1922 taking off on a mission from RAF Hinaidi. He was buried in the cemetery, half a mile from where his Bristol FB2 Fighter crashed. At the end of 2021, thanks in the main to the support and perseverance of the British Embassy staff in Baghdad, particularly Defence Attaché Brigadier Adam McRae, a new wall was constructed around the cemetery, with a contract put in place to pay for a caretaker. Sadly, though approval was given in December 2022 for the local contractors who built the new cemetery wall to commence Stage 2 of the restoration (moving the remaining headstones to one side, tidying up the site and repositioning the 71 surviving headstones), this work was suspended by the JCCC (Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre) until such time the CWGC/MoD/JCC were able to come to a decision as to what restoration works should be carried out at Ma'Asker and the appropriate timeframe, especially given the delicate political situation in Iraq. Click HERE for the full story.
In January 2024 I was informed by the Area Director Africa & Asia at the CWGC that a site survey had been carried out at the Ma'asker Cemetery, yielding enough information for the CWGC and the MoD to determine the scope and timing of the next phase of restoration. No further progress has been made since then, primarily due to the difficult security situation in Baghdad where it is not considered safe for CWGC employees to gain access to the site. It is hoped that in January 2025, costings will be determined for the next stage of restoration, including flood mitigation works and the erection of a small temporary memorial. The timetable and budget to be determined by the MoD, so watch this space . . . . . . . . . . .
* In early 2023 I found compelling evidence of another burial (the 300th) at the Ma'Asker Al Raschid Cemetery, namely AC1 John Maxton Ramsay of the 6th Armoured Car Company, RAF. Click HERE for details. I immediately forwarded my findings to the Commemorations & Licensing, JCCC on the 5th April 2023 as the CWGC will only update their records if/when the JCCC and Air Historical Branch corroborate my finding. With nothing forthcoming thirteen months later in May 2024, I spent two weeks of further research to change what I considered 'compelling' evidence into 'conclusive' evidence, in the form of a second photograph (that clearly shows Ramsay's headstone) as well as the official Military Death Notice confirming that Ramsay died in the RAF Hinaidi General Hospital, a mere 900 yards from the Ma'Asker Al Raschid RAF Cemetery.
I am pleased to report that I received a letter from the Head of the JCCC on the 17th September 2024 informing me that the JCCC, MoD, CWGC and the AHB "are collectively and individually in agreement that the evidence points firmly to AC1 Ramsay being buried in the [Ma'Asker al Raschid] cemetery". Though this is good news as to the confirmation of the 300th grave at Ma'Asker, the authorities are yet to be convinced as to the exact final resting place of AC1 Ramsay, despite compelling research and photographic evidence that his body lies in Plot 3 Row G Grave 2. I have added my latest research to the Ramsay page on my website as well as passing it on to the JCCC and CWGC and am expecting to hear back from them by the end of November 2024.
In February 2024 I completed an interactive database comprising seventy-one (71) photographs of the surviving identifiable headstones at Ma'asker, linked to the position of the matching grave. Click HERE to view the photos, searchable by name.
I expanded my website in January 2024 to include a section devoted to the men and women who are buried at the Habbaniya War Cemetery, 55 miles west of Baghdad. The cemetery was originally part of RAF Dhibban, later known as RAF Habbaniya. I have added details of each person buried there, including the grave location and a recent (2023) headstone photograph. If you want more information on the history of RAF Habbaniya that isn't covered on the pages of my website, take a look at the RAF Habbaniya Association website or send me a message via the CONTACT tab at the top of this page as I have access to some of the RAF Habbaniya Association's arhcives.
My website also contains photographs covering WW1 and the inter-War years, with an emphasis on 6 Squadron Royal Flying Corps (later Royal Air Force). There is also a section with 43 pages of high definition aerial photographs (two to a page) taken by 6 Squadron aircraft in May and June 1917, before and after the Battle of Messines. Recently added are images of WW1 maps and photographs as well as copies of every page of my grandfather's WW1 wireless training document.
If you need help researching anyone who served in the British Royal Flying Corps or the early years of the Royal Air Force, send me a message via the CONTACT page.
My sixth and most recent book, "Rising from the Flanders Mud" was published in November 2023, with copies available to purchase from Amazon and other on-line book stores or alternatively direct from the publisher Feed-a-Read.
Updated 9th December 2024
