15 August 2024
The Sandakan Death Marches were a series of forced marches in Borneo from Sandakan to Ranau, which resulted in the deaths of 2434 Allied prisoners of war.
As part of their three-month deployment to Malaysia, soldiers from Rifle Company Butterworth (RCB) rotation 144 were given the opportunity to visit the Kundasang War Memorial in Ranau, Borneo.
It was a sombre experience for all; however, for two particular soldiers the visit to the memorial hit even closer to home.
For Privates Nelson Fox and Bianca Nankervis, the visit to the Kundasang War Memorial, ahead of Sandakan Memorial Day on August 15, was an opportunity to pay respects to their fallen family members, who were among those who tragically lost their lives during the Sandakan Death Marches.
Private Fox, of the 5th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, only found out that he had family involved in the Death Marches once he arrived in Borneo a few weeks earlier.
“Once I arrived, my family let me know that my great-great uncle, Herman Reither, was one of the Australian soldiers who was involved in the Sandakan Death March,” Private Fox stated.
“It was pretty special to visit the Kundasang War Memorial and see his name up on the wall amongst so many other Australian soldiers. Altogether, it was definitely a surreal experience that provoked a bit of emotion.”
For Private Nankervis, a Military Policing soldier, it was a very emotional experience paying tribute to not one, but two family members.
“I first discovered I had family involved in the Sandakan Death March when I was in my early twenties,” Private Nankervis said.
“They had restored the Kundasang War Memorial in Ranau, and as a result, opened a memorial with my family’s names in my hometown of Bendigo, Victoria.
“The two soldiers were Frankie A. Burchnall and Frankie Jr. R. Burchnall, father and son, who died mere days apart on the march.
“Both of these soldiers died on the march and their bodies were thrown off a cliff, never to be recovered or brought home.
“It is beautiful to see that they finally have something, that there is a permanent memorial and gardens dedicated to them.
“I cannot wait to go home to my children and tell them about their family members and the sacrifice they made for their country.
“I hope that one day I can bring them over so that they can experience it for themselves.”
