Hello, My Name is Belfry
Most of you must have seen me standing next to the town ‘padang.’ It is rather lonely here sometimes but I’m already used to it. I have witnessed how Tawau changed over the years.
So how much do you know about me? I reckon not a lot because I’ve never really been properly introduced to the people of Tawau. Thanks to discovertawau.com, this is my golden chance to let you know more about me.
Let’s start off with a bit about my history. I was built in the year 1921 – in a fertile land called Tawau (or Tawao then) located in British North Borneo (now Sabah). My construction was funded by a group of Japanese businessmen in Tawau to commemorate the signing of the Armistice following World War One in 1918 when Japan was an ally of Great Britain. As you’re aware, the Japanese have set afoot in Tawau since the early 20th century.
The Belfry - photo taken just after WWII
I am a bell tower and the police guard near the town ‘padang’ used to ring my bell at certain intervals during the day. The area around me was beautiful, tranquil, peaceful and quiet. There was virtually no traffic back then.
Tawau District Office and The Belfry circa 1924
Just a few steps away from me was the District Office - a beautiful wooden structure where the administration of Tawau took place. It was really sad when it was destroyed during World War II. I must say that I’m rather lucky as I escaped the war almost unscathed.
Japanese military delivering speech at the padang in 1942
The three biggest events I can remember were the World War II, the Great Fire of Tawau in 1953 and the Indonesian Confrontation in the mid-sixties. During the Japanese occupation, there was almost no record of what actually happened in Tawau. Even if the records were available, most of them were destroyed during the war.
Japanese people heading for the jetty with the town padang and the Belfry in the background
It was a sigh of relief when the war was over in 1945. Tawau was liberated by the North Australian Division and it was then when I witnessed many Japanese people were repatriated to their homeland.
The Belfry and town padang in 1949
As Tawau was badly destroyed during the war, the British administration began reconstructing Tawau with full blown effort. The town padang and myself became the focal point where constructions begun from the West side to the East side of the town. New wooden shop houses were built.
The Belfry next to a big fire
After an uneventful 8 years, a huge inferno happened in Tawau on one hot afternoon in early March 1953. The fire was so huge that it destroyed so many shops, houses, government buildings and a few lives were lost. Thankfully, I survived despite being relatively close to the flames.
A poster during Konfrontasi (courtesy of Gus Breymann)
The next big event was the Konfrontasi. This was a historical event when Indonesia was against the forming of Malaysia. Unfortunately, I do not have any photo taken during this time. Do you happen to have one? If so, please share it with us.
The Belfry and old post office in the seventies - shot for a postcard which was distributed in Singapore
During the next 30 years between 1970-2000 I witnessed a huge development of Tawau. It was very prominent during the 70’s and 80’s when the timber and agricultural industry were booming in Tawau. To the North of me, new concrete buildings were built. To the South, the port area was being reclaimed. Almost every part of Tawau was developing fast.
Despite all the development that was happening in Tawau, my condition was deteriorating. Did everyone forget about me? Well not really. In July 2004, I was delighted when I get to know that the State Museum gave permission to the Rotary Club of Tawau to do a restoration work on me. I understand that it was very challenging but their effort was commendable. I was fully restored in 2006 and handed back to my caretaker, the Sabah State Museum.
The Belfry after restoration work by the Rotary Club of Tawau in 2006
I’m now 89 years old and really looking forward to witness more changes in Tawau for generations to come. Here are my wishes – come visit me often, tell your friends and visitors about me and please take good care of me. Thank you discovertawau.com, for documenting my history on the world wide web.
(story written by Richard Ker; photos were contributed by their respective owners)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Do you still have a bell? And are you rung?
Why is the restored Bellfry painted in a different colour? Or is this the original colour?
@George: I believe that is the original colour. I know it has been painted a couple of times.
@John: Unfortunately no… I believe that my bell went missing during the war, and nobody knows what happened to it.
This article is very informative and I appreciate the pictures shown on it. I'd give it a 10/10! Getting to know Tawau and the Bellfry makes me want to visit it today!
I'm also proud of what Tawau Rotary Club did for Mr. Bellfry there, I was in Rotary Club in school. 
@Sue: Thank you, it's a pleasure to know that you enjoyed my story! – Mr. Belfry
@Adruz: That’s a good idea… any idea on how we can communicate this to the authorities?
I suggest, we should make an event to celebrate this only monument to as remembrance…kinda annual memorial celebration…especially during national day… or on the actual date of build….
Hav Fun,
Regards,
Adruz
i been transfer to Tawau juz recently..i never know this belfry is full of history..what a great story..i going to take visit to this location juz to admire it..hehehehe
@Leo: That’s great! Please take some photos and share them with us here!!
How about asking the local authority (MPT) if we can do some gathering. Or, if you can get exact date of build we can invite any member to give a visit and place a bouquet of flower in remembrance…acknowledge the press so with this we can create public attention…
@Adruz: Fantastic idea… Let me work on getting the exact date. Then we’ll take the next steps… Thank you!
@Geordie: Thank you so much for sharing this with us, we’ve sent you an email. Looking forward to see the surrender pass.
Hello sir,,I have copies of the safe conduct pass's/surrender pass,,that we dropped from helicopters towards end of confrontation..If you want a copy,just e-mail me the adress and I will send for you,absolutely no charge…..geordie RAF Tawau 1966…
@Geordie: Thanks again for the kind contribution, and we sincerely appreciate it very much.
Also, I wonder if you have the RAF Tawau 1966 group portrait, it will be nice to feature a couple of photos i DiscoverTawau web.
Thanks again.
Daniel
Hello webmasters,,posted copies of safe conduct/surrender documents today 6th july.Do not know how long it will take to get from England to you.Have included an article[my own little story]and a couple of photos..Hope they prove of interest to you and your site..By the way,I know it is a long time since 1966,,but is that swimming pool still there,and the football pitch on the padang opposite…Larry
@Geordie: It may take about 2-3 weeks. We will include the story and photos into the website! The swimming pool is now a club, the football pitch is no longer there, town padang is used for official town activities and for some sports events. Thank you so much for your contribution!
This article really moved me. I've never been more proud to be from Tawau… Thanks for the story, Richard…
Thank you Esther… you're welcome to contribute as well
Thanks Richard. Thats really nice history of Tawau. You’re right about some of written history destroyed during the war. This sometime difficult for me to search for reliable sources about Tawau especially during 19th century.
@Zul: Thank you! I hope we can maintain this website so that there’s always a place for anyone to refer to when needed.
belfry…you are wonderful never think that you have a lot of memory /history until i have surf this site…i am sure it is not too late for me to say thank you. i am now 50 years old and I remember during my teenage around the 70’s our hockey school team (ST.Patrick Sec Sch)normally rest at your area to shade and at that time,I never APPRECIATE your presence, sorry for that,another thanks belfry and for the local authority and Tawau Rotary club proud of you for maintaining belfry.
Arpa, I believe I have seen you before, thank you for appreciating my presence, it’s better late than never…
Hai Belfry…its been along long time we never meet each other since I leave Tawau to further my studies elseway, I still remember on the mid of 70’s I always stop over at you to have a rest and sometimes having a date with my girlfriend there.I believe there are many people who lives in Tawau who having different story and experienced with you,as for me I still Remember you and I believed you did the same to me.I hope you will stay there for ever for the next generation
and let the Local Authority to keep your lifes sustain.
@Hamdan: Thank you for sharing your story, I’m glad I’ve touched your life in some ways
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