After World War II arrived in the Pacific, most Australians on Nauru - then an Australian protectorate - left the island.
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Five men chose to stay behind out of concern for the welfare and safety of the Nauruans, but would not survive to see the end of the war.
One of them was former Echuca doctor Dr Bernard 'Ben' Quin.
On Monday Dr Quin, along with Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Chalmers, William Doyle, Frederick Harmer and Wilfred Shugg, will officially receive a posthumous Group Bravery Citation from the Governor-General as part of the Australian Bravery Awards.
In the 1920s and 30s Dr Quin ran a general practice in Echuca and began a family with his wife, the couple having five children together.
During the Depression he was appointed a government medical officer on Nauru, where he had spent time as a young doctor.
After Germany attacked the island in 1940 Australians were sent home, but Dr Quin chose to return to Nauru to continue working as a doctor.
Even after Australian troops withdrew Dr Quin and the four other men remained.
When Japanese forces invaded the island in 1942 Dr Quin and the other four men were taken prisoner.
The following year, the US bombed Nauru.
In apparent retaliation over the bombings, the Australians were executed in March 1943.
It was only once the war ended that Dr Quin's family learnt of his death.
Dr Quin's granddaughter Catherine Dunn said her father David and his siblings were proud to see their father's actions acknowledged.
"My dad was 12 when he last saw his dad, and he really missed him," Ms Dunn said.
The bravery citation marks the first time Australia has formally recognised Dr Quin's wartime contribution; as he was a civilian, he has not been eligible for military honours.
Ms Dunn said her grandfather was a sociable person and a well-liked man in Echuca.
Dr Quin was treated well by the Nauruans, she said, and he loved them as well.
Ms Dunn said the acknowledgement of her grandfather's bravery was also about the people of Nauru, who suffered greatly during the war.
Dr Quin's leprosy patients were murdered and a significant proportion of the population died during the war.
Dr Quin also received the Australian Medical Association's President's Award in 2014 for his dedication to his patients.
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