On 8 December 1941, Japan launched an invasion of Hong Kong, which resulted in the British surrendering on Christmas Day of that year.
The Royal Rifles of Canada, many elements of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps, and sections from the Middlesex were stationed there.
There are 598 World War II burials (including non-British Allied soldiers and two from the Hong Kong Police Force) in the cemetery.
Eric Moreton, a Methodist missionary who died of wounds sustained while driving an ambulance in Wanchai during the fighting at the Royal Naval Hospital on 26 December 1941, is also buried in the cemetery.
Ansari, who was originally in the 5/7th Rajput Regiment but from Ma Tau Chung POW Camp co-ordinated with the British Army Aid Group after the surrender.