Skip to main content

Ballina RSL Club Sandakan Deceased POW's Memorial Plaque

Ballina RSL Club Sandakan Deceased POW's Memorial Plaque
Middle
Image
Ballina RSL Club Sandakan Deceased POW's Memorial Plaque
Image
Ballina RSL Club Sandakan Deceased POW's Memorial Plaque, close-up of names in column 1
Image
Ballina RSL Club Sandakan Deceased POW's Memorial Plaque, close-up of names in column 2
Image
Ballina RSL Club Sandakan Deceased POW's Memorial Plaque, close-up of names in column 3
0 / 0
-
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
Private C F Rankin Second World War, 1939–45 NX38426 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private F W Reardon Second World War, 1939–45 NX46643 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private J Richardson Second World War, 1939–45 NX45510 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private R M Ruane Second World War, 1939–45 NX1655 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private C A Rundle Second World War, 1939–45 NX31254 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private S G Shearman Second World War, 1939–45 NX72692 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private W S C Smith Second World War, 1939–45 NX23002 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
C Stevens Second World War, 1939–45 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
Private R D Stone Second World War, 1939–45 NX23033 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view
S G Tapper Second World War, 1939–45 Australian Army - Second Australian Imperial Force (2nd AIF) South-West Pacific 1942 - 1945 view

Do you know more about this war Memorial?

Click here to learn how you can contribute
Sidebar
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