A courtesy bus service will be available for those attending the 2023 Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Sandakan Memorial Park at 05:30 am on Tuesday 25 April 2023.

Those choosing to use the courtesy bus service will be transported from the following locations;

Collection point 1 – Harbour Mall, Sandakan

Pick up and return will be from the area shown on the map below (behind the Harbour Mall Sandakan) to and from the Sandakan Memorial Park.

1. On Tuesday 25 April 2023, passengers need to assemble in the piazza as shown on the map below. by no later than 04:00am as the buses will depart promptly at 04:10am
2. The buses will return to the pick-up point, departing from the entrance to the Park at approximately 08:30am, following the complimentary gunfire breakfast provided at the conclusion of the dawn service.

Collection point 2 – Sabah Hotel (Km 1, Jalan Utara, 90000 Sandakan, Malaysia)

Pick up and return will be from the front of the Sabah Hotel to and from the Sandakan Memorial Park.

1. On Tuesday 25 April 2023, passengers need to assemble in the piazza as shown on the map below. by no later than 04:10am as the buses will depart promptly at 04:20am.
2. The buses will return to the pick-up point, departing from the entrance to the Park at approximately 08:15am, following the complimentary gunfire breakfast provided at the conclusion of the dawn service.

Please list your name and if possible a contact number on the Bus Registration Form available at hotel reception and collect your return transport voucher at the same time to ensure a seat on the courtesy bus is reserved for you.

You should do this on or before 1600pm Monday 24 April 2023.

PLEASE NOTE: There is limited seating available of 32 seats. Please ensure that you retain your bus ticket for the return transport to the pickup points.

During 1942-43, the Allied prisoners of war were transferred to Sandakan from Singapore by the Japanese to build a military airstrip. They were imprisoned at a camp near Mile 8, now the site of the Sandakan Memorial Park.

Between January and June 1945, more than 1000 malnourished POWs were force-marched to Ranau, 260 kilometres from Sandakan. About half died on the way, killed by the effects of the mountainous jungle terrain, tropical illnesses, malnutrition and brutal treatment by their guards. Anyone who could not keep up was killed. Those who survived this gruelling ordeal succumbed to starvation and illness at the destination camps. Sandakan’s 1400 remaining prisoners, too weak or ill to be moved, died at the camp in appalling conditions.

Local people, who remained loyal to the Allied cause, also suffered terribly. Many were executed. It is estimated that 14 per cent of Sabah’s population died under Japanese rule, from starvation and brutal treatment.

On 15 August 2020, the 75^th anniversary of the end of World War 2, we invite you to tune into a live streaming of a simplified service, to remember all those who suffered and died.

Lest We Forget.