There were 5 British subjects beheaded on Tarawa along with 17 Australian & New Zealand Coastwatchers in retaliation by the Japanese for the American bombing of the island.
This list now makes available the names of the five others.
Quote:
This aspect is shared also by the little enclosure erected to the memory of the 22 British men in various walks of life who had been imprisoned on Betio. Following on the first heavy attack by American aircraft they were taken out and murdered by the Japanese solely as an act of retribution. The heroic party included a devoted L.M.S. missionary, a very gallant wireless officer, the hospital dispenser, an aged retired sea captain and an elderly trader. The remainder were New Zealand wireless operators and coast watchers, young fellows who had been stationed on various islands in the Gilbert Group. The tragedy in many ways resembled what took place on Nauru and to some extent the events on Ocean Island. The Europeans concerned had fallen into the hands of the enemy because they elected to remain at the post of duty; it would have been possible for all of them to have escaped had that been their first thought.
We never ceased to marvel that on this little island, less than a square mile in area, over 5,000 dead had been buried; it seemed incomprehensible. There can be no doubt that the Japanese considered the place impregnable; following their usual practice of belittling the white men in the eyes of the natives they boasted to them that they could never be defeated there. But they did not realise the prowess of the American Marines. Tarawa will ever be classed among the bloodiest battles of the war, an epic fight, one in which the gallantry, resource and determination of the marines carried the issue to victory. |
In Memory of
Civilian THE REVD. ALFRED LIONEL SADD
Civilian War Dead
who died age 33
on 15 October 1942
Of Maldon, Essex. Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Sadd, of Mount View, Maldon, Essex. Died at Betio, Tarawa. B.A.
Remembered with honour
GILBERT ISLANDS
In Memory of
Civilian BASIL CLEARY
Civilian War Dead
who died age 30
on 15 October 1942
of Suva, Fiji. Son of the late John and Sylvia Cleary. Died at Betio, Tarawa.
Remembered with honour
GILBERT ISLANDS
In Memory of
Civilian ISAAC HANDLEY
Civilian War Dead
who died age 72
on 15 October 1942
Son of C. O. and C. B. Handley; husband of M. M. Handley, of 71 George Street, Mackay, North Queensland, Australia. Died at Betio, Tarawa.
Remembered with honour
GILBERT ISLANDS
In Memory of
Civilian A M McARTHUR
Civilian War Dead
who died
on 15 October 1942
Husband of Nei Kaka (Mary) McArthur, of Tebobonga, Nonouti Island, Gilbert and Ellice Islands. Died at Betio, Tarawa.
Remembered with honour
GILBERT ISLANDS
In Memory of
Civilian REGINALD G. MORGAN
Civilian War Dead
who died
on 15 October 1942
at Betio, Tarawa.
Remembered with honour
GILBERT ISLANDS