I’m Keith J Botterill, son of Sandakan Ranau surviver Keith Botterill. Your grandfather Bariga saved Nelson Short, Bill Moxam and my father. Bariga and my father were very close friends and my father and mother visited Bariga a number of times in the 1980s. Your grandfather is a hero.

I am a Dusun’s from Ranau Town, Was Born and raised here. My Grandpa elder brother was Mr. Bariga Katus and he does something with POWs. I love the fact that he does provide the efforts to help some of the POWs to escape but as i been told some die on the hidden places due to multiple reason. What really in my mind now is, who is the “one” assisted, escaped and survived by this man? Still wonder. I really love this post and i believe the history never change and stay forever with us. peace.

The grief of her twin’s death has lived with my mother until this day and was a tragic part of our childhood. She is still alive and still suffers from the trauma of finding out that her brother had died long after peace was declared when he was expected to return home.

I hope to go to Sandakan some day to pay tribute to my uncle, on behalf of his two bereaved sisters. Thanks for telling the story.

We also have an exhibition that tells the story. If anyone wants more info please contact me by email mcl@iinet.net.au