News & current projects
News
Map of Sandakan-Ranau Death Marches released
Following research by the Army History Unit and the Defence Imagery & Geospatial Organisation, the Department of Defence has released an official map showing the route taken by Allied prisoners of war on forced marches between Sandakan and Ranau POW camps in Borneo, during the Second World War.
In all, 2,428 Allied POWs died at Sandakan, at Ranau or on the Death Marches between the two. Only six POWs survived, all Australian escapees.
The route shown on the map (PDF 10MB) is based on information collected by the Australian War Grave Unit shortly after the war, as well as published historical maps and local accounts.
Description of the map contents
ROUTE OF SANDAKAN DEATH MARCHES, 1945
Sabah, Malaysia
The map was prepared by the Department of Defence and shows the route taken by Allied prisoners of war on the notorious 'Death Marches; between Sandakan and Ranau POW camps in 1945.
The route begins in Sandakan and proceeds in a generally westerly and slightly southerly direction before turning south shortly after crossing the Pandan-Pandan river. It continues in a southerly direction before meeting the present-day sealed road, the route of which it follows, passing the village of Boto, before entering the Taviu valley. In the Taviu Valley it follows the route of the present-day sealed road, while remaining south of it. It follows the route of the Taviu and Lolosing rivers up to the village of Toupos. From there it follows closely the route of the present-day sealed road, passing Maringkan, Pagintan, Matupang, Segindai, Nabutan, Nalapak, and Muruk. At Muruk the route turns west until it reaches Ranau.
March route primary source: Map entitled 'Route of P.O.W. Marches Sandakan - Ranau', CPL G.D. Robertson 31 AWGU.
March route secondary source: Annotated copies of contemporary British Borneo 1:250 000 map sheets Jesselton, Kuamut & Sandakan.
March route tertiary souces: Australian War Grave Unit diary records, P.O.W. body recovery data, published historical works, published maps, local accounts, open source information.
The Fromelles Project: Another 9 Australian soldiers identified
The Fromelles Project is a joint Australian Army and UK Ministry of Defence project to identify the remaining unidentified Australian and British soldiers buried in the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery in France.
The bodies of 250 Australian and British soldiers were buried in the cemetery after being recovered from burial pits adjacent to nearby Pheasant Wood in 2010. The bodies were buried by German forces after the disastrous Battle of Fromelles fought on 19/20 July 1916.
The project’s 2012 Joint Identification Board (JIB) recently convened in London and confirmed the identification of another nine Australian soldiers buried at the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery. The nine Australian soldiers identified by name are:
| 3013 |
Private Leonard Broadhurst |
55th Battalion |
| 4779 |
Private Robert Carrington Forland |
53rd Battalion |
| 3046 |
Private John Robertson Forrest |
54th Battalion |
| 555 |
Private John Joseph Goulding |
31st Battalion |
| 2144 |
Private William Alexander Jamieson |
31st Battalion |
| 2203 |
Private Arthur Joseph Johnson |
29th Battalion |
| 1252 |
Corporal Alfred George Tuck |
29th Battalion |
| 2154 |
Private Claude Ward |
30th Battalion |
| 2485 |
Private John Cyril Wynn |
30th Battalion |
Headstone Dedication Ceremony
Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, 20 July 2012
The replacement headstones for the nine Australian soldiers recently identified by name will be dedicated at the Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery on 20 July 2012 – the 96th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles (19/20 July 1916).
The Australian Army and the Mayor of Fromelles will co-host a dedication ceremony and the details are:
- What: Headstone dedication ceremony for the nine Australian soldiers identified on 23 March 2012.
- Where: Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery, rue de la Basse Ville, Fromelles, Nord/Pas de Calais, France.
- When: 7pm, Friday 20 July 2012.
More details can be found at the Australian Army’s website at: www.army.gov.au/fromelles.
Closure of Hellfire Pass walking trail, 28 May 2012
Due to scheduled maintenance at the Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, the walking trail will be closed to visitors on 28 May 2012.
In the event of adverse weather, the date scheduled for maintenance may change. Visitors should contact the Museum for the latest information:
Email: hellfirepassoawg@gmail.com
Museum phone: +66 861 624 524
Manager phone: +66 817 542 098
Operations Manager phone: +66 818 147 564
The Museum itself will remain open to visitors.
Damage to the Benghazi War Cemetery, Libya
On 25-26 February 2012 the Benghazi War Cemetery in Libya was attacked by a militant group. The Cross of Sacrifice appears to have been the main target of the group, but during the attack approximately 245 headstones, of ten nationalities, in the vicinity of the Cross of Sacrifice were damaged.
There are 1,051 Commonwealth casualties interred in the Cemetery, of which 55 are Australian. Unfortunately, the Australian graves were located in the vicinity of the Cross of Sacrifice and preliminary reports are that 52 of the 55 Australian commemorations sustained damage.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is responsible for the official commemoration of Commonwealth casualties of the two world wars and the maintenance of those commemorations in perpetuity. The Commission will shortly access the Benghazi War Cemetery and compile a detailed report on the damage which will be provided to the Commission’s member nations. All commemorations damaged in the attack will be restored when it is practical to do so. In the meantime, temporary markers will be erected on the graves.
View a list of the damaged graves.
Australian Memorial, Wellington, New Zealand
In June 2011, PM Julia Gillard officially announced during a visit to Canberra by the New Zealand PM John Key that, “design work would commence for an Australian Memorial in the proposed New Zealand Memorial Park in Wellington. This Memorial will be completed by the time of the centenary of ANZAC in 2015 and will reciprocate the New Zealand Memorial on ANZAC Parade in Canberra.”
In September 2011, the NZ Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Hon Christopher Finlayson announced that the New Zealand Government will mark the centenary of the First World War beginning in 2014 with funding of up to NZ$15 million for international and domestic projects. Key projects included the completion of the National Memorial Park.
The objective of the Memorial is to depict the ANZAC alliance, and Australia and New Zealand’s shared military, social and political history. It should not be considered a ‘war’ memorial per se, as it is not a Memorial on a former battlefield or a grave site, or to a specific campaign.
The Memorial will commemorate the strong bond between Australia and New Zealand, and honour the soldiers of both countries, who fought together to protect the future of our Nations. The Memorial will complement the objectives and design of the Memorial Park ‘Master Plan’ being developed by the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
OAWG is currently out to Tender for Project Management Services for the construction of the Memorial. It is envisaged that the Memorial will be completed in time for the Centenary of ANZAC.
Vietnam Veterans’ Education Centre (VVEC)
The Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Warren Snowdon, launched the Australian Government’s commitment of $3.3 million towards a world-first education centre honouring Vietnam veterans on 8 March 2011. Click here for the Minister's media release.
The VVEC will be a centre for both education and commemoration. It is not a traditional museum but will use multimedia technology to tell the story of the Vietnam War. The VVEC will also be accessible via the internet. The purpose of Australia’s funding contribution is to ensure that when Americans remember and learn of the Vietnam War, they will also remember and learn of the significant contribution that Australian servicemen and women made there.
Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Fund (VVMF) is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Washington, DC, promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War. Authorised by Congress, its most recent initiative is building The Education Centre. The two story underground building will be adjacent to the Vietnam Memorial ‘The Wall.’
In February 2012,DVA established an Advisory Panel, endorsed by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, the Hon Warren Snowdon. The purpose of the Advisory Panel is to ensure that the Australian contribution to the VVEC suitably reflects the Australian experience of the war in Vietnam. The Panel met for the first time on 15 March 2012.
The Advisory Panel members are:
Dr Robert O’Neill, AO - Distinguished Historian and Advisory Panel Chairman (and Vietnam veteran).
Rear Admiral Ken Doolan, AO, Ret’d – President, Returned and Services League (and RAN veteran of Vietnam).
Ron Coxon, OAM – Vietnam Veterans of Australia Association
Lieutenant Colonel Graham Walker, Ret’d – Vietnam Veterans Federation of Australia.
Mrs Margaret (Meg) Green - War Widows’ Guild and widow of a Vietnam veteran.
Ms Colleen Thurgar, AM - Nurses Representative and Vietnam veteran.
Bill Kane OAM - Federation of Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Ex Servicemen and Women and RAN veteran of Vietnam.
The Hon. Graham John Edwards, MP - Vietnam veteran - Army.
Lieutenant Colonel Gary McKay, MC, Ret’d – Vietnam veteran – Army.
Air Commodore Chris Beatty, DFC, AFC, Ret’d – Vietnam veteran – RAAF.
DVA will consult widely with the Vietnam veterans’ community, principally through the Advisory Panel, Ex-Service Organisations, the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council, the Ex-Service Round Table and the VetAffairs newspaper.
Ex-Service Organisations wishing to stay abreast of developments are invited to register their interest at VVEC@dva.gov.au providing name and contact details, including email address of a point of contact.
Anzac Day Dawn Service, Sandakan Memorial Park, Sandakan, Malaysia
An Official Anzac Day Ceremony will be held at the Sandakan Memorial Park on Wednesday, 25 April 2012, commencing at 5.30 am. Anzac Day gives the opportunity for Australians and New Zealanders to remember the brave men and women of our Defence Forces. We remember particularly those who have lost their lives making the ultimate sacrifice for their countries.
The Sandakan Memorial Park is located on the site of the original Sandakan POW Camp. The Anzac Day Service is linked closely to the tragedy and loss that once occurred in this sacred space, the place where the service is being held. 2012 is a year of particular significance for the site as it marks the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the first Allied POWs in Sandakan.
A flyer with details of the Service is available here (PDF 96KB) (Word 314KB).
The Office of Australian War Graves has a number of works projects at the Sandakan Memorial Park for 2012 including improvement to the access path to the pavilion and the construction of an amenities building at front entrance. These projects follow from the upgraded RSL Memorial, re-installation of signage and the 2011 online podcast.
New IT system: possible disruption to services
The Office of Australian War Graves is currently converting to a new IT system that will provide improved services for the provision of official commemorations for veterans.
During transition and transfer of data we may experience some delays and would like to thank you for your patience during this time.
Should you have concerns or identify any errors please do not hesitate to contact our post-war commemorations team on (02) 6289 6517, 133 254, or 1800 555 254. Email enquiries may be sent to wargraves@dva.gov.au.
New facility to request permission to use the Service emblem for Second World War, Korean War and Vietnam veterans
An on-line facility has been developed to assist in obtaining the necessary letter of permission to use the Service Badge on the commemoration/memorial of a deceased veteran. Veterans may wish to print a letter of permission for placement with their personal papers. Families, cemeteries and crematoria are also able to print permission letters without delays when a veteran passes. The facility to print a letter of permission is available for each veteran listed on the Nominal Roll.
Simply log on to the Nominal Roll (www.ww2roll.gov.au | www.koreanroll.gov.au | www.vietnamroll.gov.au), find the veteran and follow the options to obtain the necessary letter of permission to use the Service Badge.
Current projects
Important Message to all parties interested in the Sandakan Memorial Park
The Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG) will be undertaking construction works at the Sandakan Memorial Park over the period of February - June 2012.
The planned works include the construction of an Amenities Building located at the front of the Park and a new timber walkway (including lighting), which will replace the concrete pathway that commences near the boiler and ends at the Pavilion. The path will connect with the RSL Commemorative area and pass immediately above the boiler and pass the artefacts in that area. Ground level lighting will also be installed at the obelisk.
Information about the work has been included in letters and emails to many interested associations and individuals. Consultation with Sabah Forestry and the Sandakan Municipal Council have resulted in full support and approval for the works.
The alternative pathway will be available during construction of the timber walkway and a restricted access path to the toilet facilities will be provided. Completion of the walkway will be finalised and opened to the public prior to Anzac Day 2012. Work on the Amenities Building will commence shortly after Anzac Day, ensuring that the site will be fully accessible during the commemorative period.
These constructions works with associated building materials and machinery will not prevent visitors accessing the major elements of the Memorial Park or impact the Dawn Service.
Contact the Office of Australian War Graves;
Email: wargraves@dva.gov.au
Freecall: 1333 254
Regional callers: 1800 555 254
Australian Projects
In any year, the Office of Australian War Graves (OAWG) may undertake a range of projects, from refurbishing and upgrading existing graves, memorials and cemetery features, to developing new official national memorials at overseas sites significant to Australia's military history.
OAWG continually assesses cemeteries and Gardens of Remembrance to ensure that the standards achieved in the better known Commonwealth War Graves Commission war cemeteries in France and Belgium are reflected in the work undertaken by OAWG in Australia and PNG.