Lawrance Ryan, Secretary Cowra Breakout 75th Anniversary Committee was guest speaker at Cowra Inner Wheel's July meeting.
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The Cowra Breakout of August 5, 1944 resulted in the death of 231 Japanese prisoners and five Australians.
This tragic event could easily have been relegated to the history books. However, the Cowra Breakout was 'more than one day'.
It changed Cowra and brought about reconciliation and the Cowra-Japan relationship we now share.
Lawrance spoke with pride of the Cowra RSL sub-Branch members taking on the job of tending the graves of the Japanese.
It was Cowra's Ab Oliver who said, "It was the right thing to do, to honour these Japanese dead. Brave soldiers, many of whom committed suicide after their escape, rather than be captured again as prisoners of war".
Lawrance encouraged his listeners to be part of the 75th Anniversary commencing on August 2 through to Monday, August 5.
Inner Wheel is all about friendship here in Cowra and around the world, including Japan's Club in Sapporo.
We meet third Monday each month at noon. Email to iiw.au.cowra@gmail.com
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