More awareness needed on history of Death Marches
Published on: Friday, August 16, 2019
By: Mardinah Jikur
Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Andrew Goledzinowski laying his wreath at the Sandakan War Memorial Thursday.
Photo Source: Bernama
SANDAKAN: More awareness is needed on the history of the Death Marches and the Remembrances Services held in Sandakan.Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah cum Deputy Chief Minister, Christina Liew, said, as a very significant time in our past not get much mention in our history books, she hope all parties involved can help in spreading more knowledge of Sandakan during World war II and work together towards this goal.
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Furthermore, next year is a significant milestone as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Sandakan Day Memorial.
“The Sabah Government appreciates the initiative and support from the Australian Government, Australian and British general public for their support and dedication to Sandakan,” she added.
Christina said this at the Hi-Tea event for welcoming the Sandakan Day Memorial 2019 guest at Four Point By Sheraton Sandakan, Wednesday.
Her speech was delivered by her Assistant, Assafal P.Alian.
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Also present at the event, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Andrew Goledzinowski and wife, Lyn Allen, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Charles Hay Mvo, President of Sandakan Municipal Council, Datuk Peter Hii Chang Lik, General Manager of Sabah Tourism Board, Noredah Othman, Member of Parliament Sandakan, Vivian Wong Shir Yee, Elopura Assemblyman, Calvin Chong and other guest.
Sandakan Day Memorial which took place at Sandakan Memorial Park every August, 15, each year, is a day to remember and honour the courage and sacrifice of the fallen heroes, as well as to acknowledge those who still suffer from the effects of war.
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Christina appreciates the Sandakan Municipal Council and Sabah Tourism Board as well as Autralian and Britain effort to come and make the day happen, each year, here in Sandakan.
Meanwhile, also present at the event, Cleo Braithwaite and Allysa Braithwaite, where their grandfather, Dick Braithwaite, was one of the six survivors of the Sandakan Death Marches 1945.
Over 2,000 Australian and British Prisoner of War (POW) perished there. For the families and those that survived, the impact was lifelong and echoes through the generations.
Dick Braithwaite died in 1986, still wanting the story to be properly told.
“Our father, Richard Braithwaite grew up in the shadow of the Sandakan tragedy. He spent the best part of 30 years researching, interviewing, and forming friendships and bonds with ex-POWs, members of the Sandakan community and event the family of a Japanese General in order to write this book-Fighthing Monsters : An Intimate History of the Sandakan Tradegy,” Cleo said.
“The book was launched at the Australian War Memorial by Dr.Brendan Nelson on September 28, 2016, just three days before our father lost his battle with cancer. Obviously he can’t be here today, so we’re going to borrow his words.” she added.
The words are “I was embedded in this story at birth, but embedded myself further in the story by choice, I have tried to confront its monsters. This ‘lived in’ book has taken an awfully long time, but I hope that is a strength. I also hope it is something like the book my father and mother would have written, their memoir, if they had been able”.
Cleo and Allysa said, it was his desire to see the book published in Malaysia and it was so important to him and his father to tell not just the story of the life of the prisioners, but how it fitted into the wider tragedy of Japanese occupied Borneo.
“It is no exaggeration to say my sister and I wouldn’t be here today if not for the courage and selflessness of the local villagers who aided him in his escape.” Cleo said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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