In Grantlee Kieza’s compelling book, Sister Viv, the harrowing experiences of Australian Army nurse Vivian Bullwinkel during World War II are vividly recounted. The narrative highlights the profound connections between Australian and Dutch wartime histories, particularly through the events on Bangka Island in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), now Indonesia.
Vivian Bullwinkel’s Ordeal in the NEI
In early 1942, following the fall of Singapore, Bullwinkel and her fellow Australian Army nurses attempted to escape aboard the SS Vyner Brooke. Tragically, the ship was bombed by Japanese aircraft and sank. Survivors, including Bullwinkel, reached Radji Beach on Bangka Island, part of the NEI. There, Japanese soldiers committed the infamous Bangka Island Massacre, where 22 Australian nurses were ordered into the sea and machine-gunned from behind. Bullwinkel was the sole nurse to survive, despite being wounded. She feigned death and later hid with a wounded British soldier, Private Cecil George Kingsley, for 12 days before they were captured. Kingsley succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
Dutch Involvement
The SS Vyner Brooke carried not only Australian nurses but also civilian men, women, and children, including Dutch nationals. After the sinking, survivors congregated on Bangka Island, then part of the Netherlands East Indies. The island’s local Dutch authorities were overwhelmed by the influx of refugees and the advancing Japanese forces. While specific interactions between Bullwinkel and Dutch individuals are not extensively detailed, the shared ordeal on Dutch territory underscores the intertwined fates of Dutch and Australian individuals during the war.
A Legacy of Resilience
Bullwinkel’s survival and her subsequent testimony at the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal in 1947 brought international attention to the atrocities committed in the NEI. Her story serves as a poignant reminder of the shared sacrifices and enduring bonds between Australia and the Netherlands during World War II. For the Dutch Australian Cultural Centre (DACC), her experiences highlight the importance of commemorating these historical connections and the resilience of those who endured such hardships.
About the Book
Sister Viv is a non-fiction book by Grantlee Kieza, an award-winning journalist and author. The book tells the story of Vivian Bullwinkel, who was the sole survivor of the Bangka Island massacre in 1942. Bullwinkel was a prisoner of war for three and a half years, and after the war she became a leader in Australian nursing. She was also a key figure in Operation Babylift, which rescued orphans during the Vietnam War. For more info click here.
Commemorating Shared Histories
The DACC encourages the exploration of stories like Bullwinkel’s to foster a deeper understanding of the intertwined histories of Australia and the Netherlands. Such narratives not only honor the memory of those who suffered but also strengthen the cultural ties between the two nations.
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