Nemarluk was a custodian of cultural knowledge who was born at Tjindi in Arnhem Land. Nemarluk was also an Aboriginal resistance leader who evaded arrest until 4 May 1933 when he was apprehended at Legune Station. While awaiting trial, he escaped from Darwin Gaol and Labour Prison in September and remained at large for six months. After his recapture he was transported back to Darwin and tried in April 1934. Evidence was heard in court that the Japanese had been killed for failing to pay (in tobacco) for the favours of the Aboriginal women. Another explanation is that the fishermen had been murdered for detaining and raping the women. It is part of the oral tradition of Nemarluk's people, however, that he had vowed to kill those who intruded on his country. As was the case with his companions, his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. He died (probably of tuberculosis) in early August 1940 at Darwin Hospital.
