Honouring the Brave who Fought in Sandakan in WWII

The Sandakan Day Memorial is an annual event hosted by Sabah on every August of the year to commemorate and honour women and men who fought and died in World War 2 to defend freedom and democracy. The event at the Memorial Park, Sandakan, brings together families, relatives, loved ones, friends, and military veterans from Australia, Britain, and Sabah. Sabahans have always been appreciative of the Australian and British High Commissions in Malaysia for their continuous support of the event.

The Sandakan Municipal Council and the Sabah Tourism Board are co-organisers. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said that peace must always be protected and that people must reject hatred. “Victory itself will never be enough if we forget the human cost of war,” Hajiji said on 15 August 2026 at the Sandakan Day Memorial Service, at the Sandakan Memorial Park.

“Today, we also remember the six survivors: Bill Sticpewich, Dick Braithwaite, Owen Campbell, Keith Botterill, Nelson Short and Bill Moxham.” During World War II, 2,700 Australian and British prisoners passed through Sandakan. Only six Australians survived the brutality, and each of them survived by escaping.

Local people assisted the Australian prisoners during their escapes. Two local men in particular - identified as Lap and Galunting at Kampung Muanud, helped Owen Campbell during his captivity. Local heroes - Bariga, Dihil bin Ambilid, Abing, Kulang – had braved the captors and jungles to help the Australian prisoners. Johnny and Lillian Funk and members of the Sandakan underground, helped in gathering information which eventually led to freedom for the prisoners, Hajiji said, and some members of the underground members were arrested and were executed by the Japanese.

Many more unsung heroes whose names and courage may never be fully recorded. Their courage is part of the history of Sandakan and of Sabah, and they must be honoured and remembered. “We acknowledged the brave allied soldiers who fought in Borneo in World War II, “Hajiji said. “We are grateful, and we will always remember them for their sacrifices and contributions to peace and freedom. We must preserve the historical record, teach younger generations what happened here, and continue to speak the names of the prisoners, the brave allied soldiers and the courageous local people who helped them.”