Sai Wan Memorial is situated in Sai Wan War Cemetery which is located on Cape Collinson Road situated in the north-east of the island of Hong Kong, about 11 kilometres from the centre of Victoria. The cemetery is located on Cape Collinson Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong Island.

Take bus route No. 9 to Shek O from Shau Kei Wan bus terminal, adjacent to exit A3 of mass transit railway Shau Kei Wan station and alight at Cape Collinson bus stop beyond the roundabout on Shek O Road. Walk downwards along Cape Collinson for approximately 600 metres. To travel to Sai Wan Cemetery from Stanley Military Cemetery take bus No. 14 to Grande Promenade outside the cemetery on Wong Ma Kok Road and alight at Shek O Road bus stop in front of the roundabout on the Tai Tam Road. Walk south into Shek O Road then turn left and walk downwards along Cape Collinson Road for approximately 600 metres. The Cape Collinson area has many cemeteries. Walking up this narrow one-way traffic road, one will pass the Catholic Cemetery situated on the hillside to the left of the road, and the Hong Kong Military Cemetery on the right. Sai Wan War Cemetery is about half way up Cape Collinson Road and faces the Muslim and Buddhist cemeteries.

Hong Kong fell to Japanese forces on Christmas Day 1941 following a brief but intense period of fighting. Most of those buried or commemorated on the island were killed at this time, or died later as internees or prisoners of war during the Japanese occupation. The SAI WAN MEMORIAL forms the entrance to Sai Wan War Cemetery and bears the names of more than 2,000 Commonwealth servicemen who died in the Battle of Hong Kong, or subsequently in captivity, who have no known grave.

Both the cemetery and memorial were designed by Colin St Clair Oakes. The memorial was unveiled by Sir Alexander Grantham, the Governor of Hong Kong, on the 20th February 1955.