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GBRSL Living Spirit - ANZAC Day 2024-2026, 111 Main Street, Greensborough (2026)

27/04/2026

Day 7
Thank you, and goodbye.

Today was the final day of our adventure. We spent the majority of the morning driving back to Bangkok, where we then checked in to our hotel, and shortly headed out again to do some shopping. A tuktuk ride and 250 Baht later, we were back at the hotel to relax.

We concluded this trip on a river cruise, where we enjoyed a meal with some live entertainment including singers and a fantastic soprano saxophone.

Firstly, I would like to say a massive thank you to Pam and our driver for being so accomodating throughout the trip, including many translations for meals and explanations of the culture of Bangkok and Thailand. We were always met at the bus with a sweat towel and a cold bottle of water. ขอบคุณครับ.

Secondly, a massive thank you to Nathaniel, our historian, for being able to understand our family’s history and involvement within the War. He went into depth about where my Great Grandpa had been, when he had been, and what occurred in his time there, as well as other general history and notable figures involved in the Second World War. This trip would not have been possible without him.

Thirdly, thank you to all those who have followed my adventure. It means a great amount to me to have people interested in and interacting with my family’s story.

Lastly, thank you to the Greensborough RSL for selecting me for this opportunity, as well as Belmore Travel for accomodating and planning everything. This trip is one-in-a-lifetime and one that I will never forget. Being able to develop a greater understanding of the war, as well as paying respects to those who have served and are currently serving, has been absolutely fantastic and 100% unforgettable.

Early morning tomorrow as we fly back home to Melbourne.

Banyule Veterans at Greensborough RSL Sub Branch
Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary

26/04/2026

Day 6

Today we started at the Sai Yok Noi Waterfall, where we saw a genuine Japanese locomotive that had been reutilised by the Thai government after the war. The waterfall is part of Tarsao, a camp at which my Great Grandpa was once situated. We then climbed part of the waterfall, where I definitely did not slip… (twice). After a brief swim to wash the dirt off, we were on our way to the Wang Pho Viaduct.

The Wang Pho Viaduct is a brief section of track that features 3 seperate bridges. Last year, Nathaniel and Jessica hid some railway spikes they found for us to uncover again 12 months later. Unfortunately, we were only able to recover 1 of the spikes they had hidden. We made our way to the largest bridge of the three to scavenge for more spikes but to no prevail. We then climbed across all 3 bridges and headed for lunch.

After lunch, we visited the Weary Dunlop Museum, which we were saddened to see the unmaintained state of following the passing of the museum’s creator. Edward Dunlop got the nickname “Weary” as before the war, Dunlop advertised their tyres claiming they don’t wear down.

Today was our last day in Kanchanaburi before we head back to Bangkok tomorrow in preperation to fly home on Tuesday. We were lucky enough to see the most beautiful sunset of the trip so far.

Kanchanaburi, its surrounding areas, and the history it all contains has been a fantastic experience to explore and understand. My knowledge of the railway has expanded greatly through seeing the locations in person, and through the information Nathaniel has shared.

Banyule Veterans at Greensborough RSL Sub Branch
Greensborough RSL
Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary

25/04/2026

Day 5

After the dawn service at Hellfire Pass, we headed back to the hotel for a quick rest and breakfast before heading out to Kanchanaburi Cemetary, where 5,085 Commonwealth and 1,896 Dutch defense members are buried, for the 11:00 Wreath Laying service. Before this service commenced, we had a chance to reflect on some graves and lay some poppies. Following the conclusion of the service we visited and reflected on a few more graves, then shortly headed into the Thai-Burma Death Railway Centre where we got some extra information on my Great Grandpa, then looked around the museum section before heading to lunch.

After lunch, we headed to the Chongkai Cemetary where I spoke briefly about Douglas Naimby Rawson, a Greensborough soldier who died on the railway. Following the cemetary, we visited Chongkai Cutting where we had to cross a bridge along the train tracks to see it up close.

All of these sites are once again a tragic reminder of those who suffered and paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

This has by far been my most memorable ANZAC Day. Standing where thousands of men once perished and suffered has been a deeply emotional and fantastic opportunity for me, especially considering Great Grandpa’s involvement in the conflict. Thank you again to the Greensborough RSL for providing me with this opportunity, I am forever grateful.

I hope you were all able to spend today commemorating and remembering those who served for Australia and New Zealand, and I thank those who still serve today for their selfless contribution.

They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun,
and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Lest We Forget.

Banyule Veterans at Greensborough RSL Sub Branch
Greensborough RSL
Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary

25/04/2026

Hellfire Pass Dawn Service

This morning we attended the Hellfire Pass Dawn Service. It was a beautiful service to remember those who have served, including those who suffered, or paid the ultimate sacrifice for Australia and New Zealand.

We had the opportunity to lay a wreath to honour my Great Grandpa, John Morriss Eddy, as well as the servicemen, nurses, and civilians who endured captivity during WWII on behalf of the Living Spirit Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch. This was very special to me and Dad as it felt like an opportunity to simply say “Thank you”.

I would like to thank the Greensborough RSL for providing me with the opportunity to be here today and allowing me to reflect on my family’s, as well as Australia’s involvement and history in the Second World War.

Lest We Forget.

Banyule Veterans at Greensborough RSL Sub Branch
Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary

24/04/2026

Day 4

Today we visited Hellfire Pass - Konyu Cutting.

Konyu Cutting is the longest cutting along the railway. POWs recall the bamboo lanterns casting hellish shadows of the Japanese soldiers beating people with bamboo weapons, often being compared to something from Dante's Inferno, thus the name ‘Hellfire Pass’.

It was eye-opening to see in person and understand the incredible work that was completed. The visitor centre, and Nathaniel, told stories of the immense pain, suffering, and death that went behind the work here.

Following our 3.5km hike along where the railway once sat, we got lunch and took a boat back to the hotel, spotting some elephants along the way. After a quick minute to ourselves, Nathaniel, Dad, and I hopped on a bamboo raft, got towed a few kilometres up the river, and jumped off, floating back to the hotel.

The rest of the afternoon was spent resting, before dinner and an early (8pm) night in preparation for ANZAC Day.

Banyule Veterans at Greensborough RSL Sub Branch
Greensborough RSL
Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary

23/04/2026

Nieke and Naka Songkurai

My Great Grandpa, John Morriss Eddy, kept a diary throughout WWII. In this diary, he documented most of his experience before, during, and after his capture as a Prisoner Of War in the Fall of Singapore in 1942.

Nathaniel has been kind enough to review the 46 pages that we posses, and guide us through sites that John had written about.

Nieke was a small camp along the railway that is now unfortunately submerged underwater. We went to a lookout site and estimated roughly where the camp was situated through the flat land between the mountains. Nathaniel identified a few of John’s friends from his time as a POW, and has done some research to provide context for some stories within the diary. It has been excellent to hear and compare the writing to a physical location in which my Great Grandpa passed through over 80 years ago.

After Nieke, we stopped at Naka Songkurai. Also known as Songkurai 2, this camp was 2 of 3 in the area. Following his stay in Nieke, John had marched to this camp, where he was forced to work on at least one of three bridges. Unfortunately, we aren’t able to tell which bridge he had worked on, but it was still insightful to see exactly where he had once been. These days, a standard bridge towers over the previous location of the main bridge at Songkurai 2, but we were able to see some of the original concrete footings. We took a brief bush-bash to locate a Japanese water tank used at the time, as well as spotting some barbed wire that was placed to keep tigers out of the camp.

Hearing the stories of my Great Grandpa and seeing the sites in person has been extremly interesting, and has allowed me to take in a significant amount of new knowledge that previously didn’t click. Many thanks to Nathaniel for doing this research in his own time and passing his findings onto us through names of soldiers and quotes from the diary, so far he has made this trip unforgettable.

Banyule Veterans at Greensborough RSL Sub Branch
Greensborough RSL
Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary

23/04/2026

Day 3

Today we visited 3 Pagoda Pass on the border of Thailand and Myanmar, stopping at an old suspended bridge in Thong Pha Phum, Nieke, and the three Songkurais along the way.

The suspended bridge left us on edge as we carefully traversed across over the river and back, admiring the wonderful views from both ends. Unfortunately, some fires have been burning in the area, leaving smoke haze that stretches from the hotel to over 200 kilometres away, hindering our views no matter how far we travel.

We then stopped at Shimo Songkurai, commonly nicknamed “Cholera Hill” due to a mass outbreak of cholera at the camp, leading to the death of over 1,000 POWs.

A local village now sits over Kami Songkurai, but we were still able to see where the railway had once ran, marked by a fence that follows its previous path. This camp was the smallest of the 3 Songkurais, but the soldiers still suffered to the same degrees.

Finally, we visited 3 Pagoda Pass, which is bordered by Myanmar (Burma) in 3 different directions. This area had some old wartime rail that had been relocated, including some parts manufactured in the United States. Apart from the war history of the area, it was nice to understand the significance of the 3 Pagodas.

Both Naka Songkurai and Nieke were left out of this post intentionally. I have done this because these sites are some of the places where my Great Grandpa, John Morriss Eddy, had stayed at and passed through in his time on the railway. I figured these sites deserved their own post together to convey the significance of putting his writing to an actual place.

We were surprised to get some rain on the drive back to the hotel, where we then had some short time to ourselves before eating dinner.

Overall, today was a busy but insightful day.

Banyule Veterans at Greensborough RSL Sub Branch
Greensborough RSL
Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary

22/04/2026

Day 0, 1, and 2

Following our smooth arrival into a hot and humid Bangkok, we were out cold at our hotel before 10:00

The following day, we focused on the culture of Thailand and Bangkok, Visiting the Grand Palace and then a short tuktuk ride to the Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho. After our guided tour had concluded for the day, we explored the densely packed streets of Bangkok, visiting several different markets and enjoying some fried rice for lunch. We returned to the hotel and had a quick swim before heading out for dinner, where we all had some delicious Chicken Pad Thai before heading home and watching Bridge on the River Kwai and heading to bed.

Today we drove from the hotel to Nong Pladuk through a small village. We were led through where my great grandpa started his march, and the historical significance of the starting point and all the wartime stations along the Thai-Burma railway. Passing over the famous river, we learnt that, to our surprise, it’s not actually called the “River Kwai”. Further down the rail, shortly before we disembarked the train, we saw the Chung Kai Cutting that POWs were forced to work on throughout WWII, as well as the Wang Pho Viaduct. After a short stop at Wang Pho Station for a quick look and some lunch, we headed to the hotel. A relaxing evening including a swim and a massage for dad was concluded by a nice dinner at a local restaurant.

Banyule Veterans at Greensborough RSL Sub Branch
Greensborough RSL
Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary

20/04/2026

Hi! My name is Declan and I am the lucky recipient of the 2026 Living Spirit Fellowship!

I am in Year 12 at St Helena Secondary College, a Cadet Corporal at 402 Squadron, and am 17 years old with an interest in aviation and Australian history. My great grandpa, John Eddy, was captured by the Japanese in the Fall of Singapore in WWII, and was sent to work on the Thai-Burma Railway after a few short stints at other POW camps.

Today, my Dad and I embark on our 8 day pilgrimage to Thailand, where we will be guided to many different historic and cultural sites by the legends at Belmore Travel.

Follow this page to stay updated with our adventure!

Banyule Veterans at Greensborough RSL Sub Branch
Greensborough RSL
Greensborough RSL Sub-Branch Women’s Auxiliary

GBRSL Living Spirit - ANZAC Day 2024-2026

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