Highland Street is the latest in Bundaberg Regional Council’s Streets of Remembrance program to be adorned by the Rising Sun badge, honouring Private Charles Highland.
The Bundaberg East locality was named after Charles in July 1951.
He was born in Bundaberg, became a labourer and was a resident of Yandaran prior to enlisting.
Charles served in the 1st Independent Company during the Second World War.
He tragically died aboard the Japanese passenger ship Montevideo Maru in the South China Sea on 1 July 1942, aged 31.
According to memorial website Find A Grave, there were between 1,050 and 1,053 prisoners aboard the ship when it sunk:
“Unescorted by other Japanese ships, the Montevideo Maru sailed from Rabaul on 22 June, but on 1 July the ship was sighted by an American submarine, the Sturgeon, off the coast of the Luzon, in the Philippines.
“Firing its torpedos, the Sturgeon sunk the Montevideo Maru.
“Only a handful of the Japan crew were rescued.
“None of the prisoners survived.
“The Montevideo Maru was not marked as a Prisoner of War carrier as required by international convention.”
Private Charles Highland was honoured with a number of medals, including:
- 1939/45 Star
- Pacific Star
- War Medal
- Australian Service Medal
- Memorial Scroll
How to nominate for Streets of Remembrance
Community members are encouraged to nominate future street name suggestions as well as help to identify existing streets already named after veterans to be included in the program.
Applications are available through the Council website here and will be assessed as specified within the project guidelines.
Find a list of recognised streets here with information gathered from Council records and the Australian National Archives.
For enquiries contact development@bundaberg.qld.gov.au
