Post by Tamrin on Apr 25, 2013 8:52:46 GMT 10
Nowhere are the words “Lest we forget” uttered with greater feeling than among indigenous communities, members of which shared in the travails of war but who were often forgotten by the wider community.
Indigenous POW Gunner Percy to be remembered in Redfern
On his return, he was again treated as a non-citizen.
Indigenous POW Gunner Percy to be remembered in Redfern
This year's Anzac Day service at Redfern in inner-Sydney holds special significance for two sisters who will tell the story of their father, Percy "Gunner" Suey.
Records show that in April 1942 he was reported missing in action and was imprisoned by the Japanese for more than three years.
Ms Goodrum understands he was placed in a camp on the Burma-Thailand border.
"Because he looked like he'd fit in with the people, he'd just put a sarong around him and got out," Ms Goodrum said.
"He use to go into the jungle and come back with all the food and herbs, medications.
"His skills he learnt from my nan. She was a full-blood Aboriginal and she taught him everything - what he can use out in the bush."
The sisters had heard that their father had even managed to catch monkeys to eat.
Gunner Percy did not tell many stories from the war, but he did talk about a scar on his head.
"When they found out he was doing all that, they actually hit him in the head, in the side of the head, with a bayonet and he was left to die," Ms Boney said.
While there were opportunities for Gunner Percy to escape, other POWs have told the sisters that he stayed behind to look after them.
"The men said he could have gotten away but he just wouldn't leave them because he knew they wouldn't survive without food, proper care," Ms Goodrum said.
"The guys told us that he kept them alive in there."
Ms Goodrum understands he was placed in a camp on the Burma-Thailand border.
"Because he looked like he'd fit in with the people, he'd just put a sarong around him and got out," Ms Goodrum said.
"He use to go into the jungle and come back with all the food and herbs, medications.
"His skills he learnt from my nan. She was a full-blood Aboriginal and she taught him everything - what he can use out in the bush."
The sisters had heard that their father had even managed to catch monkeys to eat.
Gunner Percy did not tell many stories from the war, but he did talk about a scar on his head.
"When they found out he was doing all that, they actually hit him in the head, in the side of the head, with a bayonet and he was left to die," Ms Boney said.
While there were opportunities for Gunner Percy to escape, other POWs have told the sisters that he stayed behind to look after them.
"The men said he could have gotten away but he just wouldn't leave them because he knew they wouldn't survive without food, proper care," Ms Goodrum said.
"The guys told us that he kept them alive in there."
On his return, he was again treated as a non-citizen.