The Borneo Bugle. Anzac Day 2003

Transcription

1 The Borneo Bugle BORNEO PRISONERS OF WAR RELATIVES GROUP A MUTUAL GROUP TO HELP KEEP THE SPIRIT OF SANDAKAN ALIVE June 1st 2003 Volume 1, Issue 5 PRESIDENT BOB BRACKENBURY TEL:(08) ROOKWOOD ST MT PLEASANT WA 6153 SECRETARY/TREASURER KEN JONES TEL:(08) CARNWRATH WAY DUNCRAIG WA magek@bigpond.com LIAISON/RESEARCH/EDITOR ALLAN CRESSWELL TEL(08) WATERFORD DRIVE HILLARYS WA Anzac Day 2003 Anzac Day was commemorated in so many different ways by various members in Dawn Services were being attended by our members at Kings Park, Irwin Barracks and at the Sandakan Memorial Park. Many of our members marched at the Perth Anzac Day March under our own banner whilst others attended Lynette Silver s morning service at Sandakan Memorial Park. by Allan Cresswell COMMITTEE PERSON/EDITOR NON MESTON TEL(08) LEVERBURGH STREET ARDROSS WA meston@iinet.net.au In This Issue Anzac Day Passing of Carl Jensen 1/2 Editorial 2 New Members 2 Coming Events 2 President s Corner 3 Thoughts of a Son 4 Photos by Ken Jones 5 Education Report 5/7 Sandakan Pilgrimage 6 Photos by Allan C 7 Soldier Profile 8 OUR NEXT MEETING AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IRWIN BARRACKS SUNDAY JUNE 8 TH 2003 AT 10.00AM SEE YOU THERE! These two groups that visited North Borneo were both travelling over much of the Sandakan Ranau Death March Route on Anzac Day and it was so fitting that both groups had services and dedications enroute that day. Various written reports for most of these services are provided in this issue of the Borneo Bugle by our President on page 3, Ken Jones page 4/5 and Allan Cresswell page 6/7. Passing of Carl Jensen It is with deep regret that we report the passing of Carl Edgar (Snowy) Jensen who died on April 9 th, Snowy, as a member of our group, was well known to many of us. He served as a sapper with the 2/6 th Field Park Coy R.A.E during WWII. Snowy was a POW to the Japanese at Singapore, transferred to Sandakan with E Force, followed by conviction at Kuching, then to a two-year sentence at Outram Rd Prison. At the conclusion of our inaugural Sandakan Day at. Kings Park last year Snowy received recognition from the Australian Government by way of a Certificate of Appreciation presented by the Governor of Western Australia, Lieutenant General John Sanderson AC. CONT PAGE 2 Tour Ladies with Candles at Sandakan Memorial Park awaiting Commencement of ANZAC Day Dawn Service Photo courtesy Allan Cresswell by Allan Cresswell CARL EDGAR SNOWY JENSEN ANZAC DAY 2002 Photo courtesy Kerry Laidley (nee Jensen)

2 2 EDITORIAL Jean and I recently returned from our pilgrimage to Sarawak and Sabah to pay respect to her uncle and to see first hand the land where so many of our POW s died. As well as the Anzac Day Service and the various dedications attended, which we report on elsewhere, we had the pleasure of travelling throughout the island enjoying the sights of such a beautiful place. PASSING OF CARL JENSEN Continued from page one It is planned for a detailed article about Snowy s war years to be compiled for the next edition of the Borneo Bugle. Our President, Bob Brackenbury, has reported in greater detail on the death and funeral of Snowy in his Presidents Report on page three. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to all his family. Rest In Peace Snowy It is almost inconceivable that such horror occurred in such a lovely country. The countryside around Ranau and Kundersang near the foothills of Mount Kinabalu is so spectacular and so peaceful. Meeting also the descendants of some of the local people who helped our POW soldiers made us realize the extent of the effort made by these locals. This effort was despite the dangers to both themselves and to their families. Many were to receive the full wrath of the Japanese Army when those acts of kindness were discovered. Whilst there I made a promise to myself that I would somehow ensure that these civilian heroes would continue to be remembered. Most Sandakians/Sabahians have no knowledge of the assistance given by their countrymen towards the POW s. So in my attempt to perpetuate the memory of these local heroes I have commenced constructing a website on the internet. It will detail the individual involvement of over eighty of the local Chinese, Malays, Filipinoes, Kadazans/Dusuns, Indians, Dyaks, Kemansi, local Europeans and others. Hopefully it will be completed within the next three months AC Members of the Borneo POW Relatives Group and Royal Australian Engineers Association of Western Australia with Colonel Geoff Simpson at the Conclusion of Snowy Jensen s Funeral Photo courtesy Mick Ryan NEW MEMBERS We are pleased to welcome four new members since our last Borneo Bugle :- Garry and Janice Duffield and Andrew and Rachael Duffield whose relative is Private Ronald Carleton of the 27 th Dental Unit, Australian Army Dental Corps. Coming Events Please mark your calendar Sunday June 8th 2003 at 10.00am Note the date of our AGM and next meeting at Irwin Barracks Karrakatta. Sunday August 3 rd to Sunday August 17 th 2003 Our Sandakan display at Alexander State Library for two weeks. Volunteers needed for displays, POW stories and On Roster for displays. Help is sought in this most important opportunity to help Keep the Spirit of Sandakan Alive. Sunday August 24 th 2003 at 11.00am Sandakan Day Ceremony to be held at Kings Park.

3 3 President s Corner by President Bob Brackenbury With the death of Snowy Jensen on the 9th of April our group has lost one of the last WA links with the horrors of Sandakan, Kuching and Outram Road. We extend our sympathies and our thoughts for their families to three of our members, Kerry Laidley, Pat Rosser and Caroline Hague on the loss of their father. On Monday 14th April we had a fair representation at Fremantle Cemetery for Snowy's funeral with the families including us in the service, myself reading out Snowy's military history as provided by Allan Cresswell, and a wreath on behalf of the Group. Snowy would have been rapt with the military presence of Colonel Geoff Simpson with the AIF Engineers' flag, his grandson Derek Laidley of 5/7 RAR Unit from Darwin with the Australian national flag, and a serving sapper, Frank Sanders of our 13th Field Squadron with the Engineers' flag. President Mike Ryan of the Engineers' Association recited the Ode, and an ex-navy bugler played The Last Post. A lovely touch was provided by a lady playing a beautiful rendition of 'We Are Australian' on guitar in the Chapel, and her version of 'Waltzing Matilda' at the graveside rounded off a touching ceremony. Sleep well oldtimer. ANZAC Day Six families from our Group were onsite in Borneo at Sandakan at the same time as our Services started here. The Purple Circle Memorial Precinct at Irwin Barracks was again the venue for a professionally run and sensitive Dawn Service in a beautiful tranquil setting. The Honour Guard and Catafalque Party were our uniformed hosts of the 13th Field Squadron. The veterans of the Engineers' Association and a few other Service Units helped make up the large crowd attending. Our Anzac Diggers would love the peculiarly Australian touches, such as the soft lights shining up the gum trees, and the sounds of kookaburras, magpies and yes, even the crows in the quiet after the stilled bugle. Wreaths were laid by myself for the Group, and Steffoni and Kerry for their fathers. After the Service we assembled next to the wall plaques and replaced the Flanders poppies by each nameplate, with their stems shortened so they would not be dislodged by passers-by. Later, in the city our Group had the privilege of joining in the Anzac Day March with serving personnel and veterans behind our Banner for the first time. As you are aware we had hoped to have Snowy leading the Group in his wheelchair, and just about the whole Jensen clan came to march in his memory. Kerry, Pat and Caroline declined the lead, so we compromised by having them march in front of the banner borne by their husbands - ably assisted by two lovely young ladies, Jennai and Shanniah, the great-granddaughters of Jenny La Rose. In all I think we had about sixteen marchers in the Group, and the thousands of onlookers lining the streets were no less enthusiastic in their cheering of our tiny group. I am sure that Snowy was not the only father or grandfather looking down and pleased at the recognition they were at long last receiving via their proud relatives. I know from the comments afterwards that I had a lot of 10ft high people marching behind me. As Steffoni was unable to march she videotaped the procession for the benefit of our overseas travellers. Our Group got an excellent wrap from the ABCs commentator. If anyone missed out on seeing or hearing the March please contact me after I get the tape back from Bill Young in Sydney. Bill Young is a survivor of Sandakan and Outram Road. His wonderful drawings, his enthusiasm to perpetuate the story of Sandakan, the excellent books written by him and his poignant poems are testimony to the character of the man. Bill has been invited as a special guest at our Sandakan Day in August and it is hopeful that he can attend.

4 4 THOUGHTS OF A SON By Ken Jones My initial reaction to be asked to share my feelings about our tour to the place where my father had died, was no! Why should I? But, as the majority of the members have lost their loved ones in similar circumstances and some have taken the same trip as we did, maybe by sharing this experience we would become more of the Sandakan Family. In Singapore, we started to trace the steps of the prisoners from where they surrendered, then through the streets to Changi, stopping to visit the re-located Changi chapel and then to the wharf where they embarked for Sandakan. We arrived in Sandakan, saw where they disembarked and where some stayed the night at the padang. Others were sent to St. Michaels church, where permission had been obtained for us to enter, and for the first of many times to come, a feeling difficult to understand, but as though I had been here before. This is a lovely church with a beautiful stained glass section high above the altar and I am sure my father, who early in his life had trained in the ministry, would have appreciated notwithstanding the plight that he and his mates were in. The day before Anzac Day we visited the Sandakan Memorial Park for a thorough tour, towards the end when we were left to look around, Lynette Silver asked Margaret and I to come with her and we would be taken to the place where my father and 22 others were shot. We followed a path for about 700 metres which took us away from the building sites to a place that was overgrown with jungle, a place where it was very quiet. Lynette had calculated the position from wartime maps, aerial photos and War Graves Commission records. No one else could have done this for me. After being there a little while I had to ask Margaret and Lynette if they wouldn t mind going back, for the flood of thoughts going through my head was overwhelming. Finally, I sat on the pathway and tried to gain some self control. At first there was anger; why were these men shot, not because they tried to escape but because they had survived over three years of horror. Then, fleetingly, some self pity; why had this happened to our family? After that, the peacefulness of the place become more apparent and in the end I was at peace. I will never forgive but I will try to forget. The Anzac Day service was a truly memorable experience, very well planned with all the group taking part. I had the honour of laying the group s wreath. Towards the end of this very moving service, some gum leaves were burnt in a special container and after each of us had placed there own leaves, the beautiful smell that only Aussies can savour filled the air. I have been to many Anzac Day services from the Cenotaph in Sydney to Kings Park in Perth, but for obvious reasons this will be the one that I will always remember. The road to Ranau crosses the route of the death marches and where possible we got as close as we could to where some our group s relatives had died and services were held for each of these. At Ranau, another well thought out service was conducted again with all members participating and, of course, the burning of the gum leaves. At Labuan War Cemetery, another very moving ceremony with all the group participating. A fly past had been arranged by our tour leader which was carried out by a plane called the Eagle that was, coincidentally, originally designed and constructed in Perth. The wonderful ritual of the burning of the gum leaves finished the formal proceedings. Then to find where my father was buried. Because only two of 23 had been identified, we selected one of the remaining AN AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER of the WAR. KNOWN ONLY TO GOD headstones and finally, after over 60 years, said goodbye. My thoughts went back to the last time we had said goodbye, when I was ten, with an expectation that we would be reunited. Even after we had learned he was a POW there was always that expectation. Again, this was a very emotional experience that probably only a son or daughter could feel, emotions that are difficult to describe, maybe we were reunited on at that day, I think so. A tribute must be paid to Mr. Tan and his assistants who have kept the cemetery in such magnificent condition. Our sincere thanks go to Lynette Silver, Sowaran Singh, Willie and Jude Teoh and our fellow travellers who have made this tour so successful. Photographs courtesy Ken Jones Entrance to Changi Prison Singapore Group Photo with the Sabah President at Her Residence

5 5 Entrance to Sandakan Memorial Park Ken and Margaret Jones at Sandakan Memorial Park Group Photo at Anzac Day - Sandakan Memorial Park Inside Pavilion at Sandakan Memorial Park Remains of Generator at Sandakan Memorial Park Group Photo at Ranau Memorial on Anzac Day The Schools Information Program We have exciting news to report in our progress towards achieving this Group's goals of helping to keep the spirit of Sandakan alive. Ryan, acting on our behalf, has negotiated an opportunity to present a display at the Alexander Library. The dates offered are from 3rd to 17th of August, which will be an ideal time to raise awareness prior to our Sandakan Day Ceremony at Kings Park on August 25 th The Library has offered considerable assistance in locating and presenting materials to supplement those already prepared as the basis for our schools presentations. As you are aware Ryan has made many such visits to schools particularly in his work with the Ted McLaughlin Memorial Tour, which will be reported elsewhere. The display at the Library will encompass the historical aspect of the Australian campaign in Borneo, and of the prisoners of war, our personal memorabilia, and our focus for the schools. Cont on page 7

6 6 TED MCLAUGHLIN MEMORIAL TOUR BORNEO 2003 By Allan Cresswell Our tour commenced on Friday April 11 th 2003 and concluded twelve days later on Tuesday April 29 th A total of fourteen persons were on our tour and the Borneo POW Relatives Group was represented by Anita Willmott, Ryan Rowland, Tricia Rowland, Jean Cresswell and Allan Cresswell. The tour was arranged and managed by Ryan Rowland. Others from our Borneo POW Relatives Group traveled with Lynette Silver s party. Carmel McLean, the Boyup Brook Award winner, and her mother - Bridget, also traveled with us. Four Victorians, Bruce, Beverley, Jan and Allan made the pilgrimage whilst Anita s niece - Rachel, Mrs Margaret Hubery and her adult daughter, Elizabeth, completed our group. The tour had many moving experiences, some affecting us all as a group, and others were very individual, personal and spontaneous. Our Victorian friends made their closure at the Dawn Service and at Labuan whilst Anita made hers in Paginatan, at the remains of a Camp Store. Jean was moved by the Sandakan Dawn Service and felt the spirits of the Sandakan soldiers within the confines of Sandakan Memorial Park. She also felt very moved by meeting Mr Alban Lagan at the reception in Sandakan. He is the son of the late Detective Ernesto Lagan who was of Filipino descent. Detective Lagan assisted so many of the POW s, including Jean s Uncle Don, in escape plans and as a general courier and informant. He was also heavily involved in assisting Sergeant Wallace in his attempt to escape and the subsequent successful escape of the six from Berhala Island, together with Wallace. He was executed at Kuching after being convicted for being part of the so-called Sandakan Incident. It was also a great pleasure to meet Robert Chan at that reception. Robert is the son of Chan Hang Kim and the grandson of Chan Tian Joo who were also imprisoned by the Japanese for assisting the POW s. Chan Tian Joo gave considerable financial help to Dr Taylor s POW support network and assisted the POW s with food, supplies and news. He also supplied food for the Berhala Island escapees via Dr Taylor and Sergeant Koram. After the war Mr Chan received recognition from Australian Minister for the Army who commended him for his assistance to the Australian soldiers and it culminated in 1953 when he received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) from George the Sixth, King of England. For me there were many highlights during our trip. We received a wonderful welcome at Sanzac College in Kota Kinabalu by the children, teachers and parents. The atmosphere and display of genuine enthusiasm and friendship towards us Australians was something very special indeed. A parade followed by speeches and a formal reception left us all stunned and I even saw a few tears amongst our group. We were treated like royalty. All this on a Sunday and so much preparation by all those involved, and we were only three days into our pilgrimage. And more tears to come later! Another special highlight for me occurred on Anzac Day at the Ranau Memorial, the spot where Gunner Albert Cleary was chained to a stake, beaten and starved until he died. At the conclusion of our dedication there was a spontaneous approach and welcoming by schoolgirls from the nearby school. These girls gathered around Carmel in excitement at meeting an Australian of their own age group. At the same time there was my tall Jean being hugged by the tiniest teacher you could ever see. She then clung onto Jean s left arm with both her hands and just wouldn t let go. She was still doing so when I took the photo shown on the next page. True fellowship by strangers, recognizing and respecting us as Australians and thanking us for travelling to their country on this very special day. Thanking us also for our soldier relatives who gave their lives at Sandakan, on the marches towards Ranau and at Ranau itself. The tour was a terrific success and went without a hitch. Although we caught a total of seven planes, not one piece of luggage was lost throughout the trip. This tour will forever remain in our hearts as a successful pilgrimage, a wonderful adventure and where we were fortunate to make many new friends. Some of the highlights are displayed on the photographs on this page and on the following (page 7). Photographs courtesy Allan Cresswell & Jerome Robles Dedication at the Heroes Grave at Kuching Dedication at Batu Lintang Barracks in Kuching

7 7 Welcome from Schoolchildren at SANZAC College K K At SANZAC College Memorial at Kota Kinabalu At Completion of our Service Labuan War Cemetery Visit from Schoolchildren after Dedication at Ranau Our Victorian Friends at Kundasung Memorial Lookout Continued from page five Our Group at Entrance to Kundasang War Memorial I hope many of you will recognize this opportunity to be involved. Your personal recollections, supported where possible by photographs or other material will be very valuable. We want to make your own stories a major focus. In addition we will need the support of as many people as possible to man the display itself. As you can see, this cannot be left to this committee alone so our success relies on you, and furthermore I think you will find it a truly valuable experience. I will be canvassing your support at our next meeting or if you cannot attend please ring me on Non Meston, Co-ordinator, Schools Information Program.

8 8 POW PROFILE George Edward BUNDOCK Gunner th Battery 48th Light Anti-Aircraft Royal Artillery Written by Julia E Smith (nee Bundock) With additional research by Allan Cresswell Grave of Gunner Bundock Photo courtesy Allan Cresswell Taken Labuan Island April 2003 Dad was born in Canterbury England on February 8 th He was the middle child of five children. When he married my mother, Elizabeth Glen, on March 3 rd 1928 he was a Coal Miner. I was born on February 3 rd 1929 with brothers John born on July 28 th 1931 and Peter on February 7 th Dad had to give up Coal Mining due to health reasons. With the depression years during this period and very little work around Dad had to take whatever he could in the way of work that became available. My mother had to do the same to keep us going and times were very tough indeed. As a ten year old at the start of World War II I cannot remember much of my father. He was a good, quiet man who enjoyed rolling his smokes and a pint of beer on the weekend. Dad joined the army in October 1939 and we did not see much of him from then on. He did take part in the evacuation of Dunkirk. Back home in Canterbury the family were under strict food rationing and endured the numerous blitz of the German bombers. Dad was then due to go to the Middle East but my Mum became very sick so he received compassionate leave until she was well. After that he departed per ship on February 6 th 1942 from Glasgow in Scotland, bound for the Middle East. Whilst at sea the news of the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbour and other cities in Asia came in and their orders were changed. After a stop off in Durban, South Africa they headed for Java. George and his unit later took part in one of the most spirited defensive actions against the Japanese in the whole S E Asian campaign of 1942, an action in which the 49 th Battery covered themselves in glory! After sweeping down through Malaya and Sumatra, the Japanese invaded Java with a large force. They landed at several spots, one of the landings leading to Subang in West Java with its nearby airfield of Kalijati. This airfield was defended by a mixed force of Royal Dutch Netherlands East Indies Army, 49 th Battery of the 48 th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment RA, a detachment of RAF acting as ground troops, and a company of light tanks of the 3rd Kings Own Hussars RAC. During the night the Dutch forces were withdrawn without notice from the airfield. Soon after dawn the next day, March 1 st 1942, the remaining defenders unexpectedly discovered Japanese armoured vehicles advancing onto the edge of the field. They hastily assembled and flung up a remarkable defence, one in which many of the defenders laid down their lives, 49 th Battery losing over fifty of their men. The survivors were taken prisoner. When later that week the Allied commanders met with the Japanese in connection with the capitulation negotiations, the Japanese commanders congratulated the British on the courageous stand their men had made during the defence of the Kalijati airfield. George spent some time at a camp in the Bandung area, probably Tjimahi, before being brought down to Batavia (Jakarta) by train. There the RA men were mostly housed in Makasura Camp or in Bicycle Camp. In all, about British & Commonwealth men were taken prisoner in Java alone. They were shipped out in batches and ended up all over Asia. Dad left Java with a large party of gunners led by Capt J D Mills of the 77 th Heavy AA Regiment RA. They travelled from Tanjong Priok at Batavia to Singapore, then to Jesselton on October 9 th 1942, dropping off a party of men at Kuching enroute. After six months in Jesselton constructing an airfield, where fifty-one of the British POW s died, 200 prisoners, including Dad, were then sent onto Sandakan to construct another airfield. They arrived at Sandakan on April 8 th In over three years as a POW we only received three postcards from Dad, then nothing until October 1945 when the War Office wrote saying Dad had died on the 21 st April This news was so very hard for all our family to take. Like so many others, Dad had heard the call of his King and Country and paid the ultimate price to ensure that we have the freedom that we do have today. My mother never re-married and raised my brothers and I by herself. As not one British POW survived the Sandakan Camp the circumstances of his death are unknown. Official Japanese records state that he died of Malaria at Sandakan Number One Camp. His body was recovered and he now rests at plot V.B.13 Labuan War Cemetery. I have visited and commemorated his grave in Labuan but have never attended the Sandakan POW Campsite.