MUSEUM & INFO CENTRE FOR SCOUTS & COASTWATCHERS TRUST

The Solomon Scouts and Coastwatchers Trust plans to build a War Museum and an Information Centre in the national capital, Honiara.

A government statement said Chair of the Trust, Sir Bruce Saunders revealed the plan to the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare recently.

He said the Trust is searching for a site in and around Honiara to build the War Museum and Information Centre.

Sir Bruce said the Trust is looking at the battle-field sites at Bloody Ridge and Red Beach on the outskirts of East Honiara.

He said the War Museum and Information Centre could be part of a National Park, adding together they could boost Solomon Islands as a tourism destination.

Sir Bruce said they are unique sites because the fiercest battles between the Japanese and the Allied Forces were fought there in the Battle of Guadalcanal during the Second World War.

Meanwhile, Mr Bruce said the War Museum and Information Centre will keep records and information on the activities of Scouts and Coastwatchers in Solomon Islands during that warring period.

He says the Governments of Japan and the United States of America as well as UNESCO could be approached for assistance to build the War Museum and Information Centre and the National Park.

But Sir Bruce adds, a lot of work will need to be done to clear Red Beach of unexploded 2nd World War ordnances which infest the site.

He says the project is earmarked to be ready for the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of World War Two in Solomon Islands in 2017.