Territory immortalises Roebuck Bay lost

The names of men, women and children who perished during the 1942 Japanese air raid of Broome were immortalised last week during a powerful, humbling ceremony to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the bombing of Darwin.

As part of this year’s service, a 60m memorial wall bearing the names of more than 1670 soldiers was unveiled, including the victims of the strafing of Broome.

An estimated 88 people — mainly refugee Dutch women and children — died at the hands of nine swooping Japanese Zero fighters, while they sought refuge in the Roebuck Bay area.

The memorial wall was officially opened by the Northern Territory chief minister Terry Mills and World War II veteran Brian Winspear.

A memorial wall was proposed by Darwin Military Museum’s Allan Ogden, for within the Darwin Military Museum precinct, and constructed to provide a historical record in one place of allied personnel, including civilians, who died as a result of combat action in northern Australia in World War II.

Broome Shire president Graeme Campbell and chief executive Kenn Donohoe attended the ceremony.

Mr Campbell said this year’s ceremony, run by the City of Darwin, was bigger and better than the previous year. “It was amazing to see in e xcess of 800 school children attending what is the first day of national observance,” he said.

“It’s an event that not only recognises the bombing of Darwin but the bombing and strafing of the whole of the North West.”

Mr Campbell said the memorial wall signified great recognition of the people who lost their lives in the north of Australia during wartime.

Broome RSL will hold a ceremony at 9am this Sunday at Bedford Park to mark the 71st anniversary of the strafing of Broome, followed by a morning tea.