On 7th July 1942, approximately 1,500 soldiers, mostly of the 8th Division, and POWs 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. Approximately 600 British soldiers were also transported to Sandakan.

Apart from six escapees and 200 men sent back to Singapore (Outram Rd Jail) and to Batu Lintang in Kuching, all of these POWs 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.

In Queensland, this heinous episode in Australian history is commemorated in the Sandakan Memorial in New Farm Park, Brisbane. The Sandakan POWs Family and Friends Queensland Inc. has been formed to perpetuate the memory of all those who perished, as well as to salute those who survived. It is only through the actions of the survivors that the Sandakan ordeal can be told.

This website has been developed as the principal communication medium to the members of the association and as a means of spreading the word to those who have not learnt of the ordeal and deaths perpetrated by the Japanese war machine. It will continue to develop to include photo galleries, newsletters, items of interest, links to relevant websites etc.

The Association is also developing an archive of memorabilia collected over the years. We appeal to all members and other visitors to the site to consider sending copies of their memorabilia for inclusion in this website. Historical photos are an obvious example.