Australian veterans of the Second World War in Sarawak will return to Kuching this month with ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender.
The veterans’ visit on Sept 11 will also mark the anniversary of the liberation of the Batu Lintang prisoner of war and civilian internee camp, and a new memorial will be unveiled at the Batu Lintang memorial square in Kuching, Dayak Daily reported.
Last weekend, war veterans gathered to remember those who served and died during the Malayan Emergency and the Malaysian Confrontation. Those honoured included Commonwealth soldiers, police, civilians and Sarawak’s Iban trackers.
Don Cameron, who served in Borneo in 1965, paid tribute to trackers Balling Ajong from Rumah Mangah longhouse on Sungai Merirai Baleh and Unchat Unyong from Rumah Unyong on Sungai Bena Sot.
Paul Bayliss, who served with the British army in Kuching during the Confrontation, laid a wreath for fallen members of the Malayan police, North Borneo Armed Constabulary and Sarawak Constabulary, and honoured the 11 Australians who died in Sarawak.
The veterans’ visit to Sarawak will also commemorate the service of Tom Eastick, who was commander of the Kuching force at the end of World War 2.
