On 7th July 1942, approximately 1,500 soldiers, mostly of the 8th Division and POW of the Japanese in Changi, were shipped to Sandakan in Borneo. They were required to build an airstrip for the Japanese war effort. On 28th March 1943 a further 500 were sent to supplement the first group. 750 British soldiers were also transported to Sandakan.

Apart from six escapees and 200 men sent back to Outram Rd Jail in Singapore and to Batu Lintang in Kuching, all of these POW died, either in the notorious Death Marches to Ranau, or at the Ranau camp. Their deaths occurred through illness, malnutrition, execution and downright murder.

The six escapees - Keith Botterill, Nelson Short, Owen Campbell, Bill Moxham, Dick Braithwaite and Bill Sticpewich (all Australians) - escaped from Ranau and the marches. All of the British died.