
Sandakan Day 2025
Honouring 80 Years of Courage, Sacrifice, and Remembrance
In 2025, we mark a solemn milestone — the 80th Anniversary of the Sandakan–Ranau Death March, one of the darkest yet most heroic chapters of World War II history in Southeast Asia. This year’s Sandakan Day holds even deeper meaning, as we pause to reflect on the endurance, suffering, and sacrifice of more than 2,400 Australian and British prisoners of war, and the Sabahans who risked their lives to help them.
Held each year on 15 August, Sandakan Day is a time for remembrance, unity, and healing. As we honour those who perished and those who survived, we also acknowledge the enduring connections between nations, families, and generations that have grown from this tragedy.
We invite you to explore this special 80th anniversary tribute — featuring historical insights, and heartfelt messages from descendants, veterans’ communities, and members of the public. Let us come together in memory and gratitude, ensuring their stories are never forgotten.

Background
Almost 2500 Australian and British prisoners of war were held in a camp at Sandakan during World War 2. Almost all perished by 1945, which is 1400 at Sandakan and the remainder on death marches or at Ranau, in Sabah’s interior. At war’s end, six Australians, who escaped and were cared for by villagers, were the sole survivors. No one survived at Sandakan. The last man left alive at the camp was beheaded on the morning of 15 August, five hours before Japan surrendered.
Sandakan and the Death Marches
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 2025, the 80th anniversary of World War 2, we invite you to tune into a live streaming of the Sandakan Day Memorial Service
"Lest We Forget"
Messages




Media
Video produced and contributed by Dr Arthur Chung.
"Going Home" sung by Robert Gordon Ellice-Flint of 8th Division 2nd Australian Imperial Force Sandakan - Kuching Prisoner of War camp. Video produced and contributed by Mr Peter Kue.