The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh MP, has announced the launch of a new Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre website to help share the stories of the prisoners of war and rōmusha (forced Asian labourers) who worked on the Burma–Thailand Railway during the Second World War.
Through a curated collection of personal stories, the new website preserves the memory of the more than 60,000 Allied Prisoners of War (POW), including around 13,000 Australians, who were forced to carve out Hellfire Pass in Thailand to support Japanese military operations in Burma.
Valentine William Lowrie was one of these Australian POWs.
First captured at the fall of Singapore, Valentine was sent to work on the Burma-Thailand Railway between 1943–45.
‘On the railway his job was a “cane cutter” which involved men at the very front of the gang that cut cane for the pathway of the rail line,’ Callan Date explained, reflecting on his grandfather Valentine’s role.
The scale of suffering at Hellfire Pass is hard to imagine. Workers laboured day and night, cutting through solid rock and thick jungle, often with just basic tools or even their bare hands.
‘Pa turned 21 whilst a POW in Changi prison, which I reflect on knowing how different my 21st birthday celebrations were, to the pain and suffering he was going through being held captive while away from family in a foreign country.
‘There is a deep sense of pride within our family that Pa was a POW and that he was able to survive the extreme hardship and return home,’ said Callan.
Stories of POWs like Valentine are shared at the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre to honour their memory and spirit in the face of terrible hardship.
‘I believe it’s vital that stories like my grandfather’s are shared and preserved because they help future generations understand the human reality behind the history we commemorate. When these stories are accessible, they ensure that the sacrifices, resilience and courage of people like Pa aren’t reduced to just historical facts,’ said Callan.
The new website explores the historical context, oraI histories, and artefacts associated with Hellfire Pass and the wider Burma-Thailand Railway. It also provides guidance for visitors to plan their trip to the Hellfire Pass Interpretive Centre. Visit the website to find out more, https://hellfirepass.dva.gov.au/