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Ballina RSL Club Sandakan Deceased POW's Memorial Plaque

Ballina RSL Club Sandakan Deceased POW's Memorial Plaque
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Ballina RSL Club Sandakan Deceased POW's Memorial Plaque
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Ballina RSL Club Sandakan Deceased POW's Memorial Plaque, close-up of names in column 1
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Ballina RSL Club Sandakan Deceased POW's Memorial Plaque, close-up of names in column 2
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Ballina RSL Club Sandakan Deceased POW's Memorial Plaque, close-up of names in column 3
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Description / Background

This war memorial is a bronze plaque, surrounded by a timber frame. It lists the names of those from the Mid and North Coast of NSW who died as prisoners of war (POW's) in Borneo during the Second World War. The names are grouped according to their home towns, in the following order:

  • Column 1 - Port Macquarie; Kempsey; Urunga; Coffs Harbour; Ulmurra; Lismore; Dobbies Bight; Boxhill
  • Column 2 - Taree; Manning River; Bellingen; Ebor; Grafton; Lower Lawrence; Nimbin; Coutts Crossing; Casino; Bonalbo
  • Column 3 - Ellangowan; Dunoon; Ballina; Byron Bay; Tyalgum; Kyogle; Rukenvall; Murwillumbah; Dyraaba Creek; Tweed Heads

The text and illustrations on the board briefly trace the history of the POW's camps in Borneo. At the bottom is the emblem of the Australian Imperial Force and a map of Kalimantan (North Borneo), including the route of the Sandakan Death Marches.

The frame is supported by three timber feet, allowing the memorial to stand on the floor in the Combined Services Museum in the Ballina RSL Club. The museum is open during regular club hours. 

Inscription

Dedicated to the memory of all those who lost their lives in British North Borneo 1942–1945 under the Japanese.

After the surrender to the Japanese in Singapore, a force of Australian 8th Division POW's were transported to Sandakan Borneo by January 1945. From a total of 1812, 1023 were still alive. Then the Sandakan-Ranau death marches commenced, a tortuous mountainous journey of 265 km. Two separate groups of 350 and 439 left Sandakan whilst 234 very sick POW's remained by the 15th August 1945. Only six POW's survived.

The names listed on the memorial are those from the Mid and North Coast of NSW who died as POW's in Borneo.

They gave their tomorrow for your today

Lest we forget

[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
Gunner W C Leadbeatter Second World War, 1939–45 NX46793 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private D H Lee Second World War, 1939–45 NX46082 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private A L Lever Second World War, 1939–45 NX32255 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private H Longbottom Second World War, 1939–45 NX48071 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Corporal G B Mawhinney Second World War, 1939–45 NX46154 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private B L McLaughlin Second World War, 1939–45 NX46221 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private J S Mildenhall Second World War, 1939–45 NX46432 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private F A Munford Second World War, 1939–45 NX47341 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private E G Noonan Second World War, 1939–45 NX46184 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private W A Noonan Second World War, 1939–45 NX15554 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view

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Address
Ballina RSL Club
1 Grant Street
Ballina NSW 2478
Local Government Area
Ballina Shire
Setting
Building – inside
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Board/roll/plaque/tablet
Recorded by
Graham Wilson
Conflict/s
Second World War, 1939–45
Materials
Bronze
Timber