WHO IS THE BRITISH OR AUSTRALIAN POW WHO WORE THIS RING 1945 – SANDAKAN, NORTH BORNEO WW2
‘Is this Sandakan relic from your family?’
Do you recognise this Ring?
Does it belong to your British or Australian soldier who died as a POW of Japan on the
‘SANDAKAN-RANAU MARCHES’ 1945.
Due to the soldier’s extreme his weight loss from enforced starvation – he wound pieces of fabric and thread/string around the ring to prevent losing it. His skeletal body wearing his loin cloth and this ring – his only worldly possessions, was found in 1945.
Inside the ring are the initials J R. It is believed to have been found west of Beluran.
These 2,434 British and Australian POWs formed what was known as ‘B’ and ‘E’ Borneo Work Forces, were sent from Singapore 1943 to work on constructing airfields at Sandakan. Of the approximate 50,000 Allied troops taken POWs by Japan on 15 February 1942, Singapore almost 15,000 were Australians. Their comrades in battle and the remaining 35,000 troops were British and Indians.
Please read further details about 1945 SANDAKAN DEATH MARCHES of 1945
Also read about fallout from the discovery of the Sandakan Underground
1787 Total Number of Australians on Nominal Roll
641 Total Number British on Nominal Roll
6 Number POWS who escaped & Survived
1381 Total number of POWs who died Sandakan
1047 Total number who died on Marches
Please contact us via email
2nd4thmgb@gmail.com
