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Tamworth Sandakan Memorial

Tamworth Sandakan Memorial
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Tamworth Sandakan Memorial
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Tamworth Sandakan Memorial, close-up of sculpture
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Tamworth Sandakan Memorial, close-up of plaque
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Tamworth Sandakan Memorial, close-up of plaque
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Tamworth Sandakan Memorial, close-up of plaque
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Tamworth Sandakan Memorial, close-up of plaque
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Tamworth Sandakan Memorial, close-up of plaque
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Tamworth Sandakan Memorial, close-up of plaque
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Description / Background

This brick cenotaph is topped with a bronze topographical model of the Sandakan and Ranau areas of Borneo, including the route taken on the forced death marches during the Second World War. The memorial honours the more than 150 men of the northern region of NSW who died at Sandakan and Ranua.

The memorial is located in the centre of Tamworth's Anzac Park. It was unveiled on 31 July 1994 by the chairman of the Sandakan Memorial Foundation Limited and dedicated by Father John Rogers (OFM POW Sandakan and Kutching). The foundation was assisted by Tamworth Council, Tamworth RSL, NBN3, and Tamworth and district residents. 

Tamworth was selected as a site for this memorial because of its geographical location within the north-west of the state.

Inscription

Plaque 1

The sculptured terrain of Sabah illustrates the route of the death marches, shown by a bronze ribbon, between Sandakan and Ranau which was substantially swamp and dense jungle in 1945.

Plaque 2

This memorial was dedicated by Father John Brendan Rogers O.F.M. Eight Division A.I.F. Chaplain, Sandakan and Kuching. This memorial was unveiled by the Mayor of the City of Tamworth, Councillor David John. 31st July, 1994.

Plaque 3

In memory of 1800 Australians of the 8th Division A.I.F. and 750 British troops. They fought  gallantly in the defence of Malaya and Singapore during World War II.

Following the fall of Singapore, they became prisoners of the Japanese and were transported to Sandakan in British North Borneo, now Sabah, in 1942 to construct an airfield, where 900 died of ill-treatment.

By the end of 1944, when allied forces were within striking distance of Sandakan. The Japanese command ordered the removal of prisoners inland to Ranau 165 miles (265 kilometres) west. On 29 January 1945, 470 prisoners guarded by 500 Japanese marched towards Ranua. Those unable to carry on were killed.

The second march comprising 532 prisoners left Sandakan on 29 May 1945. 183 arrived at Ranua on 26 June 1945. Only eight survived from the first march.

Of the 288 prisoners left at Sandakan there were no survivors. 

On 1 August 1945, the surviving 33 prisoners at Ranua were massacred. Six who escaped were rescued by special forces. 

This memorial honours those men who enlisted from the northern region of New South Wales.

We will remember them.

Sandakan Memorial Foundation.

Plaques 4–7

[Names]

Veterans listed on this memorial

Veterans listed on this memorial

Last held rank Given name Family name Conflict/s Service No. Service Campaign Read more
Sergeant Errol David Bancroft Second World War, 1939–45 QX9488 Australian Army view
Private John Nicholson Barnier Second World War, 1939–45 NX65700 Australian Army view
Private Norman Belford Second World War, 1939–45 NX66964 Australian Army view
Private John Thomas Bollard Second World War, 1939–45 NX28142 Australian Army view
Private Clyde Noel Bracken Second World War, 1939–45 NX73099 Australian Army view
Corporal Nigel Noel Brown Second World War, 1939–45 NX45191 Australian Army view
Signalman Stephen Wilfred Brown Second World War, 1939–45 NX31799 Australian Army view
Bombardier Geoffrey Frederick Brownlee Second World War, 1939–45 NX46612 Australian Army view
Private Robert Clive Bruce Second World War, 1939–45 NX46095 Australian Army view
Private John Christopher Bryant Second World War, 1939–45 NX43424 Australian Army view

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Address
Anzac Park
Cnr Brisbane and Upper Streets
East Tamworth NSW 2340
Local Government Area
Tamworth Regional Council
Setting
Garden/park
Memorial type
Cenotaph
Recorded by
Graham Wilson
Year of construction
1993–1994
Dedication date
31 July 1994
Conflict/s
Second World War, 1939–45
Materials
Brick
Bronze