Governor-General attends Sandakan Memorial Service

15 August 2010

In a quiet jungle clearing, which was the site of the Sandakan Prisoner of War camp, the Governor-General joined hundreds of family members and two former POWs to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Sandakan Death Marches in East Malaysia.

August 15th is marked in Sandakan as a special day to honour all the 2700 Australian and British POWs brought to Sandakan by the Japanese and to remember the local civilians who suffered and died during this time of occupation.

Paying tribute to the Sabahans who cared for some of the POWs, Ms Bryce said; "With the nourishment, shelter and safety provided by local Sabahans – some of you, here with us now – these men were nursed back to life and health".