Lest we forget
Fri 25 April 2008
Sarah Ritchie, Bachelor of Journalism
The Maroochydore RSL sub branch has put together one of the finest war museums in Queensland to ensure that the memory of their fallen comrades lives on.
Maroochydore RSL sub branch veteran Leo Smith, who works in the museum of memorabilia, has added his own collection of war artefacts to ensure the Sunshine Coast community remembers the sacrifices that have been made by many Australian soldiers. His contribution includes items from the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the railway bridge over the River Kwai and the JEATH museum in Thailand. JEATH stands for Japanese, English, Australian, Thailand and Holland museum. 
The JEATH museum is dedicated to prisoners of war who were exposed to harsh conditions such as disease, malnutrition and torture. Many POWs died constructing the River Kwai Railway, hence the nickname Death Railway.
The JEATH museum is now a popular tourist attraction in Thailand. After visiting the museum Leo said, it “isn’t for the faint hearted or for those who have a weak stomach.” Experiences from the tour that he remembers were seeing pictures of POWs who were “skin and bones” and suffering from severe leg ulcers.
Leo said that the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery “is a beautiful memorial”. It contains 6982 Australian POW war graves. One of his close friends is buried there.
The museum at the Maroochydore RSL sub branch contains a variety of war artefacts, each with a story to pass on to future generations.
The museum contains medals, swords, flags, ships, planes, uniforms and guns. Local veterans have donated most of these artefacts from their own war experiences.
The aim of the museum is to educate the public about the true historical facts from a variety of wars including World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and the Iraq war.
It is also the gateway to learning about many historical war stories. One such story is the World War I ambulance field officer John Simpson Kirkpatrick and his donkey that used to collect the dead and wounded off the battlefield. Another story is the tale of the PNG natives who used to carry and care for Australian soldiers on the Kokoda track. The stories hold great historical significance and are a reminder to younger generations of the sacrifices that have been made for their country.
Maroochydore RSL secretary, John Gavin who has been the secretary for over eight years is pleased to report that community involvement in Anzac Day increases dramatically each year. “The numbers are constantly growing, which is pleasing to see that the community is paying tribute to the fallen Anzacs,” Mr Gavin said.
Image(s) designed by Sarah Ritchie