Nursing leaders are acknowledging the 80th anniversary of the sinking of the Vyner Brooke, Bangka Island Massacre and Bombing of Darwin in February 1942.
A ceremony was held on Tuesday 16 August at the Darwin Military Museum and featured presentations from the Chairs of the Australian College of Nursing’s (ACN) Nursing History and Military Nursing Faculties, Charles Darwin University Nursing Museum and Darwin Military Museum to remember the 21 Australian nurses who died at Bangka Island.
The ceremony raised funds for two Australian College of Nursing Foundation initiatives aimed at ensuring the legacy of the Bangka Island Massacre continues to live on strong in Australia today.
With the funds raised, it is hoped to have a lasting memorial to the nurses who were murdered by the Japanese at Radji Beach on Bangka Island on 16 February, 1942.
Local resident David Young said his mother Wilma made the decision to join the army after the fall of France in May 1940 and was working on the Malay peninsula.
The Japanese attacked the Malay peninsula and Singapore in December 1941, and Wilma was escaping just off Bangka Island when it was bombed.
After many hours in the water, Wilma was taken prisoner and eventually repatriated back to Australia on 5 October, 1945.
“Honouring the nurses who didn’t return is well worthwhile, however, the nurses massacred on Radji Beach were not the only ones who didn’t come home,” Mr Young said.
“As far as finding an appropriate place to launch such a foundation, the 65 nurses on the Vyner Brooke came from throughout Australia and the conference is probably as good as anywhere and it appears to be the start of the fundraising effort.”
ACN chief executive Kylie Ward said it was an important time to honour those who paid the ultimate price for their nursing service.
“Eighty years ago, Australia lost a remarkable cohort of highly-skilled nurses during three tragic events in February 1942,” Ms Ward said.
“The bravery, compassion and expertise these nurses displayed continues to leave a lasting legacy on the profession today.
“I believe every Australian should know the stories of the nurses who perished and survived the sinking of the Vyner Brooke, Bangka Island Massacre and Bombing of Darwin.”
Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh said only 24 of the 65 nurses who boarded the Vyner Brooke in Singapore survived the war.
“Just 32 nurses survived the Vyner Brooke’s sinking, including Sister Vivian Bullwinkel, the sole survivor of the massacre on Bangka Island, becoming prisoners of war (POWs). Eight of those nurses lost their lives as a result of the deprivations they suffered,” Minister Keogh said.
“These women demonstrated the bravery, courage and compassion that our nurses are known for, from their sisters who forged the path of service in the First World War, through to the nurses of today’s Australian Defence Force who continue these proud traditions.
“May their sacrifice always be remembered.”
