Every year on March 25, Bario hosts a special event to remember the members of the “Z Special Unit”. This is to serve as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice made by the paratroopers and locals who worked together to battle the Japanese army on behalf of our country.
BY JENNIE SOH
Bario commemorates 78th anniversary of ‘Z Special Unit’
On March 25, 1945, 78 years ago, eight young paratroopers from the United Kingdom and Australia parachuted into the unknown world of the Kelabit Highlands to begin the onslaught against the Japanese army during WWII.
These young British and Australian men were members of the “Z Special Unit,” codenamed “Semut I,” who were trained for this secret mission on Fraser Island, Queensland.
Major Tom Harrisson led the first insertion, which included Sergeants Charles Fred Sanderson, DH Bower, and JK Barrie. Captain Eric Edmeades led the second insertion, which included Warrant Officer RD Cusack, Sergeant KW Hallam, and Sergeant Jack Tredrea.
Their mission was to establish contact with the indigenous peoples of Borneo, train them, and deploy them as guerrilla troops against the Japanese forces.
On March 25 every year, a special event commemorating those who served in the “Z Special Unit” is held in Bario. This is to remind people of the sacrifice and courage of the brave paratroopers and locals joining forces to fight the Japanese army for our country.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, who is also Mulu assemblyman, officiated at this year’s event, which was attended by military personnel, government officials and community leaders.
Others who were present included Miri City Council, which was represented by councillor Warziedea Ahmad and City Secretary Abdul Rahman Taupek; Rurum Kelabit Sarawak President Datuk Dr Philip Raja; former federal minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leo Moggie and his wife Puan Sri Elizabeth Moggie; former commander of Eastern Field Command Lt-Gen (Rtd) Datuk Stephen Mundaw; and authors Paul Malone and Jennie Soh.
Also present were special guests from Australia — the family of the late Jack Tredrea, the last survivor of “Z Special Unit” — Colin Behn (son-in-law), Jonathan Behn (grandson) and his wife Cheryl and Little Hunter (great-grandson), as well as the delegates from the Bario community who have been involved in the “Z Special Unit” war missions.
Dr Philip gave the welcome speech, which were followed by speeches from Stephen and Gerawat.
The event concluded with the laying of the wreath, the Last Post ceremony, and Jonathan reading the Ode of Dedication.
Ode of Dedication
“They shall not grow old,
As we that are left, grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn;
At the going of the sun and In the morning,
We will remember them.”
All respond by saying, “We Will Remember Them Lest We Forget”.
This event was organised by Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth, and Sports, Sarawak; Miri City Council; and Rurum Kelabit Sarawak, with support from the Digital Community Centre, in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Bario community hosts this event every year in the hopes of attracting more tourists and boosting the tourism industry.
Gerawat has indicated funding to upgrade the Bario’s memorial Park, and the late Lynnette, daughter of the late Jack Tredrea, had left a financial contribution to the Bario’s community in her will.
Exhibition and book launching
Datin Valerie Mashman MBE gave a tour of the “A Matter of Trust” exhibition as a Research Assistant for this book project, followed by the launching ceremony for books related to the “Z Special Unit”: To Kill The Major – By Paul Malone, Memoirs of “Z Special Unit” in Bario – By Jennie Soh, as well as the presentation of “Semut” by author Dr Christine Helliwell, which was delivered by Mashman.
The Bario community also thanked all government agencies for their cooperation in allowing them to hold this meaningful 78th Anniversary Commemoration of WWII Bario Z Special Unit, a war fought together with the local community in 1945.
Hopefully, the Bario’s community will do something bigger for the 79th Anniversary Commemoration in 2024. This should be included in the Tourism calendar as an event to promote Bario.
