Last Japanese PoW in moving Brisbane ceremony

He is nearly 100, but memories of the bloody Cowra breakout have not faded for the last living Japanese survivor.

Teruo Murakami, the last survivor of the Cowra breakout, with Cr James Mackay at Witton Barracks.

The last living Japanese PoW involved in the Cowra breakout stopped in at the old Witton Barracks in Brisbane last week as part of commemorations of the notorious event.

Descendants of Australian soldiers, Australian and Japanese dignitaries and schoolchildren, and former PoW Teruo Murakami, placed wreaths at the site of the Cowra PoW camp in a moving ceremony last week.

On August 5, 1944, 1100 prisoners launched a mass rebellion that the Australian Army and police took several days to control.

A total of 231 Japanese prisoners were killed and four Australians died as well.

SUBSCRIPTION OFFER: 50C A DAY FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS (MIN COST $15)

Teruo Murakami at the Japanese War Cemetery in Cowra. Picture: Renee Nowytarger/The Australian

Mr Murakami with former Cowra prison guard Ron Ferguson at his home.

Photo of the Cowra POW camp with a piece of the barbed wire encircling it.

Mr Murakami, 98, said he had steeled himself to die, and was lucky to survive.

“My comrades or friends are buried here,” he said.

“I just wanted to come to pray for them.”

Councillor James Mackay (Walter Taylor) said it was a privilege to host Mr Murakami and his entourage.

“Mr Murakami doesn’t know exactly where he was in Brisbane, but thinks he was interrogated at Witton Barracks,’’ Cr Mackay said.

“He was fascinated by the excellent condition of the barracks and couldn’t believe they had been preserved.

“His visit really reinforced how important it is to preserve our history generally, and the Witton Barracks specifically.

Other top Quest Newspapers stories

Flight paths to change over westside suburbs

Seventy years of our best Ekka images: photo gallery

Laser pointers sold at southside primary school fete

Rival e-scooter company finally hits the streets of Brisbane

“Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has a plan to reactivate the Barracks to allow the community to view the important historical pieces and use the other building for community space.

“I look forward to working with the community to ensure the Witton Barracks are put to good use into the future.”