War Memorials in Australia

Sandakan Memorial, Canberra

Click to enlarge

Place: Campbell,  Australian Capital Territory, 2600
 District: Southern Tablelands (ACT)
Orientation: Suburb of Canberra
Location: Sculpture Garden, Australian War Memorial, Anzac Parade and Limestone Avenue
Position: 35 16 83 S     149 08 83 E
Ref: 00055

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The memorial is made of carved and polished pink granite that rises in a long, low, oblong shape and incorporates a section of 40 panes of glass. The shape was inspired by the airfields that the men who are remembered by the memorial were forced to build by their Japanese captors.  There are also four distinct platforms, representing the four years the men spent in captivity. The markings in the stone recall Sabah, the Land Below the Winds, where Sandakan is located.

The memorial, designed by sculptor Anne Ferguson, is in essence a simple sundial. On the summer and winter solstices and 11 November, the shadow cast by the sundial advances over three curved lines on the tiled base, marking the hours of the day.  These shadows symbolise the passage of time and the permanence of memory.

 


North face
IN MEMORY OF THE 1787 AUSTRALIAN
PRISONERS OF WAR WHO DIED
IN THE SANDAKAN DEATH MARCHES, IN BORNEO
IN THE FINAL MONTHS
OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

ONLY SIX SURVIVED THIS ATROCITY.

 

 

Polished pink granite plaque set in ground on east side of memorial

  Anne Ferguson

Sandakan memorial

granite, sandstone and glass
acquired under commission in 2004
ART92680

The memorial was unveiled on 29 May 2005
by the Hon. De-Anne Kelly, MP, Minister for Veterans Affairs.

Designed as an accurate sundial, the memorial is rich in symbolism.
The shape of the stone, with four steps carved in one side to represent
the number of years spent in captivity, was inspired by the airfields the
prisoners were sent to construct. The swirling patters in the granite
recall the winds and mountains of Borneo, "the land beneath the wind".
The sundial marks the passing of time, and evokes our remembrance
of the past and of lives cut short. Engraved lines trace the shadows
cast on the summer and winter solstices (the outer lines)
and on Remembrance Day (the inner line).

  



The memorial was dedicated on 29 May 2005.  The Order of Ceremony and images of the proceedings are available here.

Information current to May 2005

Sources: Program for Dedication Ceremony produced by Australian War Memorial

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