GOVERNOR-GENERAL TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA AT THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SANDAKAN DEATH MARCHES

The Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, and Mr Michael Bryce AM AE will represent Australia at the 65th Anniversary of the Sandakan Death Marches in East Malaysia from 14-16 August.

Their Excellencies will join Malaysian dignitaries and more than 100 Australians, including former Sandakan Prisoners of War, Mr Russ Ewin and Mr Lesley “Bunny” Glover, at a memorial ceremony at Sandakan Memorial Park on Sunday 15 August.

Between January and August 1945, 2,428 Australian and British Allied Servicemen from the Sandakan Camp died during three marches between Sandakan and Ranau.

Of the 450 Allied servicemen in the first Death March between Sandakan and Ranau, only one British and five Australian soldiers survived.

The Governor-General and Mr Bryce will also lay a wreath at the Memorial to Chinese Martyrs in recognition of the sacrifices made by the people of Sabah and attend the book launch of Blood Brothers, which describes the experiences of the POWs and the people of Sandakan during the Second World War.

Australia’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Mr Miles Kupa, said the Governor-General’s attendance was recognition of the importance of commemorating these events. The Governor-General’s visit would build on the substantial people-to-people links shared by Australia and Sabah.