During World War II, a covert commando training facility was operated on K’gari (Fraser Island), where numerous soldiers received specialized instruction for secret missions. Advocates from the community, along with former military members, are urging the state government to back the establishment of a lasting memorial on the island.
The local Member of Parliament for Hervey Bay, David Lee, has committed to preparing a funding proposal for this memorial. Residents are advocating for a permanent tribute to the Fraser Commando School, which was founded in 1943 to equip the Z Special Unit for covert operations throughout Southeast Asia.
Currently, remnants of the school consist of corroded military vehicles and a makeshift monument featuring framed photographs and brief descriptions of the commandos. Former tour guide Jimmy Swan, who along with his wife Cathy helped create this memorial, expressed their pride in honoring the soldiers’ contributions, noting that much of the school’s history had not been widely publicized.
MP David Lee emphasized the importance of recognizing the significant contributions made by these young soldiers to the war effort and the freedoms enjoyed by society today. The Fraser Commando School was one of several Australian bases that trained the Z Special Unit, and historian John Andersen pointed out that the island’s isolation made it an ideal location for military training.
With no prior development on the island, soldiers underwent rigorous training in various skills, including jungle warfare, medical response, anti-tracking, parachuting, firearms operation, and canoeing. The Maheno shipwreck also served as a site for weapons training, where soldiers practiced attaching limpet mines.
While the exact number of soldiers trained at K’gari is unknown, many participated in top-secret missions. One notable operation, known as Operation Jaywick, saw soldiers travel from Exmouth in Western Australia to Singapore aboard a fishing vessel named Krait, disguised as Malay fishermen. They successfully used limpet mines to destroy approximately 40,000 tons of Japanese shipping in September 1943.
Horrie Young, who served as a communications specialist during the raid, monitored Japanese signals and radiowaves. His son, Neil Young, shared that his father’s involvement was somewhat serendipitous, as he had taken over for another individual who had to withdraw. Horrie Young was also asked to teach Morse code at the Fraser Commando School.
In 1944, some commandos volunteered for Operation Rimau, which aimed to replicate the success of Jaywick but utilized semi-submersible canoes known as “Sleeping Beauties.” Unfortunately, all soldiers involved in this mission were captured and killed during the operation or while in captivity. Neil Young remarked on the bravery and resilience of these men, underscoring the importance of raising awareness about their sacrifices.
The Fraser Commando School was closed in early 1946, as the need for such training diminished following the conclusion of World War II. Earlier this month, residents of Fraser Coast brought their request for a memorial to Queensland Premier and Minister for Veterans, David Crisafulli. David Lee reported receiving initial encouraging feedback from the premier and is preparing to submit a funding request to the state government for the memorial.
A government spokesperson stated they look forward to reviewing the application and progressing the project, reaffirming their commitment to honoring the memory of Queensland’s veterans.
