GA Member Bill Sellars kindly provided an update on the V Beach cemetery conditions this week.

Storm damage to V Beach Cemetery, Helles, seaward entrance, 11 August 2026

Another view of the storm damage to V Beach Cemetery, Helles, seaward entrance

On February 16 of this year, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission posted the following message on its website:

We are aware that a series of storms have hit Helles peninsula in Gallipoli and unfortunately V Beach Cemetery has suffered significant structural damage ... There is damage to the entrance plot containing special memorials which do not mark specific known burials.

As of a visit to V Beach on 11th August, it is evident that some remedial work has been carried out by the Commission. The southern (seaward) wall that was in danger of collapse has been pushed back to near vertical by the use of heavy moving equipment, following excavations in the cemetery behind the wall.

Excavation behind the front wall in V Beach Cemetery

Closer view of the excavation behind the front wall in V Beach Cemetery

The cemetery has been partially reopened for visitors, with a new entrance created through its eastern wall. The ‘special memorials’ - headstones commemorating some of those believed to be buried here, specifically those overlooking the beach, had subsided due to the shifting of the front wall, and have now been removed.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Sign at V Beach

The retaining wall at Anzac Cove is also at risk, with some of the central section of the wall now canting over.

Many thanks to Bill for sharing the information and the photos and for keeping us all up to date with the situation.