During WWII the Japanese captured over 22,000 Prisoners of War in South – East Asia. Army (about 21,000); RAN (354); and RAAF (373). Australian Priosners of War were divided into worked parties tha provided forced labour for the Japanese Army. These labour camps were spread over South – East Asia; this memorial is dedicated to those who died in Sandakan and the death marches of Renau. The Sandakan Labour Camp was commanded by Hoshijima Susumi; a majority of Sandakan prisoners were Australians. The first two marches to Ranau occurred in January and May of 1945. Only six Australiansof the 2,500 Australian and British POWs survived these death marches.
The memorial inscription reads:
In Memory of our South Australian Prisoners of War
And all who suffered and died in Sandakan
And on the death marches to and at Ranau
Nth Boreno (SABAH)
18th July 1942 – August 27th 1945
LEST WE FORGET
