On 15 August each year, events and activities worldwide mark the anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Sandakan Memorial Day is observed in Sabah, Malaysia. It commemorates the 2,700 Australian and British Prisoners of War (POWs) who suffered and endured immense hardship at the Sandakan POW Camp between 1942 and 1945.
Over 2,400 POWs died due to the harrowing treatment and captivity.
Approximately 1,000 POWs were forcibly marched a torturous 260 kilometres from Sandakan to Ranau. Only 6 Australians, who had escaped into the jungle, survived the horrors of the camps and the gruelling marches.
Today's 80th anniversary brought together Australian, British, New Zealander and Malaysian attendees and government representatives to remember the fallen, the atrocities that befell them, those interred and give heartfelt thanks to the local Sabahans for their sacrifices during the Japanese occupation, many risking their own lives to ensure the POWs’ safety.
At the ceremony, a small private Japanese contingent, including students from across Japan, honoured those attending with the gift of song and a moving symbol of healing.
The students presented 1,000 hand-folded paper cranes representing peace and a coming together of nations.
In Japanese culture, ‘senbazuru’ (1,000 cranes in Japanese) is the tradition of folding 1,000 origami cranes, given to the recipient as a symbol of peace, longevity, happiness, and good fortune.
At the handover ceremony, the Japanese contingent shared these sentiments.
‘Though they come from different schools and different cities, tonight they stand before you united—ready to share three steadfast promises with all of you:
‘They are Respect, Responsibility, and Representation.
‘Respect for the past—for all those who lost their lives during this tragic chapter of history, and for the families who continue to carry their memory.
‘Responsibility for the present—to learn what happened here in Sandakan, and to pass the story on with honesty and care.
‘Representation for the future — these students are, in fact, our future itself.
'They are ready to receive the invisible baton passed from each and every one of you, and they promise to carry it throughout their lives—until they, in turn, pass it on to the next generation.’
The service was held at the DVA-managed Sandakan Memorial Park.
Sandakan Memorial Park is situated on the site of the Prisoner of War Camp and has become synonymous with remembrance and healing. The park is open to the public year-round and hosts an Anzac Day Dawn Service on 25 April annually.
For more first-hand accounts from POWs at Sandakan, visit Sandakan 1942-1945 - Anzac Portal
