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So, let me start with a confession. I'd never heard of Sandakan before this trip. If you had, and you knew of what happened here during the war, forgive me. If not, please remember this name.
Lest we forget.
It's written all over the war memorial, which leaves a skulking embarrassment as you begin to understand what happened here. In my defence, I hadn't forgotten, I just never knew.
Because my mate from Mabul, Chris, had recommended I visited the PoW camp in Sandakan, I passed on the request to my lovely guide and driver, Geoff. He gently corrected me, saying Did I mean the War Memorial? Yes, I suppose I did. Geoff's English is not polished, so I should have detected that the inflection was critical.
We've all heard of the Bridge over the River Kwai, mainly because Alec Guiness delivered a remarkable portrayal of Colonel Toosey in the famously inaccurate film. British pride. Stiff upper lip. Showing the japanese what it takes to break the will of an officer in Her Majesty's armed forces.
I had a nominal connection to the Toosey family too. They lived at the end of our street in Birkenhead. Fenella, the youngest girl, babysat me when I was small, and I adored her.
Sandakan didn't get a film. Nor a leading man. I have no idea whether another babysitter of mine was the grand daughter of the thousands butchered by the Japanese at Sandakan.
The Japanese used PoW's completely at odds with the Geneva Convention all around the South China sea. Technically, they only ever signed it, and did not ratify it, but I struggle to see what difference that should make.
After the fall of Singapore, the Japanese moved 2,500 PoW's to Sandakan, mainly Aussies, secondly Brits, and a smattering of other Allied nations were sent to Sandakan to make them build airstrips.
Rest assured, the PoW's dragged their heels as much as they could, facing beatings, tortures and caging if seen to slack off. These punishments were specifically conducted so as to ensure any screams were heard clearly across the camp. In particular, starving men would be force-fed raw rice and then made to drink water. The rice would then expand, tearing their guts and producing excruciating pain
As the war wore on, it became apparent the Japanese were losing, and the Japanese high command became afraid of what would happen if thousands of Allied PoW's were released at once. So they began what were later named the Death Marches.
The PoW's were made to march across North Borneo towards Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu), specifically to a nowhere place called Ranau up in the mountains.
They were being marched to death. Minimal rations, ravaged by disease, and if they stopped walking they were shot. Of all of those 2,500 originally based at Sandakan, how many do you think survived?
Six. All Aussies.
Private Nelson Short
Warrant Officer 'Bill' Sticpewich
Private Keith Botterill
Lance Bombardier 'Bill' Moxham
Gunner Owen Campbell
Bombardier 'Dick' Braithwaite.
I'm ashamed I didn't know about this, but I am bloody glad I do now.
Lest we forget.
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