On 15 August each year, we gather at Sandakan Memorial Park in Sabah, Malaysia to honour Australian and British servicemen who lost their lives in the region during the Second World War.
The DVA-managed memorial park, built on the site of the POW camp, has since become a symbol of remembrance and peace.
Each year, we remember the 2,400 Australian and British Prisoners of War (POWs) who died due to the torturous treatment and captivity in the Sandakan POW Camp between 1942 and 1945.
Over a third of the POWs, numbering approximately 1,000, were forcibly marched a horrendous 260 kilometres from Sandakan to Ranau. Malnourished and mistreated, 6 Australians remained the lone survivors of this unconscionable trek, managing to escape.
The ceremony continues to draw inspiration from the bonds of friendship and forgiveness forged between the children of Sandakan survivors, families of the Sabahans who helped them, and the family of the Japanese General in command at the time.
Attending the service, a group of Japanese students presented a gift of 1,000 hand-folded paper cranes. Known as ‘Senbazuru’, the tradition is symbolic of healing, representing peace and reconciliation.
The service was attended by official representatives from Malaysia, Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand and the United States, as well as local families impacted by the war. Wreathes were laid on behalf of veterans and families and on behalf of DVA.
For more on the historic events that occurred at Sandakan, visit Sandakan 1942-1945 - Anzac Portal
Left images - Japanese students at the ceremony and presenting paper cranes. Right image - Mr. Ian Hall OAM, Vietnam Veteran, lays a wreath on behalf of veterans and families of veterans.