THIS Friday will mark the 75th anniversary of the Japanese surrender in WWII, at Kuching, Malaysia; an event with incredible ties to Gawler’s Eastick family.

The late Sir Thomas Eastick, father to Gawler’s Dr Bruce Eastick, took the Japanese surrender in the territory of Sarawak, Borneo, on September 11, 1945, in his role as commander of Kuching Force, a detachment of the 9th Division.

Dr Eastick said he grew up knowing about the significant role his father had in the ending of WWII, even though his father wasn’t one to talk extensively about his service.

He learnt much more following his passing in 1988 when photos and records, including the original Japanese surrender document and Japanese general’s sword, were passed down to him.

“I’ve been to Kuching on two occasions, for the 70th anniversary in 2015, as well as three years prior, where I was able to gain more background about Dad and how he came to be involved with the surrender,” Dr Eastick said.

“He had been appointed by the 9th Division to undertake the surrender on the river there, on board the HMAS Kapunda.

“The Japanese general refused to come onto the boat on the first instance – he was soon told ‘get here quickly’.”

Following Japanese surrender Sir Eastick went on to oversee the fleeing of allied prisoners of war in Sarawak, including at the large Batu Lintang Camp, and for a short while was the region’s military governor, until 1945 when the territory returned to civilian rule.

He returned to his family in 1946, receiving his knighthood, from Queen Elizabeth herself, in 1970.

The sword and surrender documents have since been passed down to Dr Eastick’s sons, who have also been able to travel to Kuching and had planned to be there this week, for the 75th anniversary, if not for the COVID-19 related travel restrictions.