Killed By

Natives

Another Patrol Officer Lost in N. Guinea

NATIVES in the uncontrolled area near the Sepik River, in the north-western section of the mainland of Man dated New Guinea, on June 30, attacked and killed an Australian, Patrol Officer Neil Campbell Elliott, aged 27, and a native constable, Mr. Elliott was the son of a famous Australian soldier, the late Senator Major- General H. E. Elliott. This is the third young officer of the District Services who had been killed in New Guinea, in at tacks by natives, during the last two years. The other two also were young men noted for outstanding ability—namely Colin Macdonald and Tom Hough.

Mr. Elliott had been stationed for some time at Yapunda, an administration

—Photo, by Courtesy of “Daily Telegraph”. post between the coast and the Sepik River, some 50 miles southward of Aitape.

On June 30, he apparently was engaged in a patrol and, attended by native police, he halted at Wanali village, 10 miles north of Yapunda and about 40 miles south-east of Aitape. He was using the rest-house in the village as his head quarters, when he and his party were suddenly attacked by natives. There are at present no details of the attack, and the cause is not known. -As soon as news was received of the incident, Patrol Officer Shand and a police party hurried to Wanali. This party also was attacked by natives, and was fired upon by men who apparently had taken rifles and ammunition from Mr. Elliott’s party.

XT- 0 ,, 1 uly 4 ’ Assistant District Officer Niall Patrol Officer Nader and a strong detachment of native police left Aitape for Wanali. * buried at Wanali on hwS* J A^ y - 2 -- 1 ? 6 a cadet m the Administration Service in 1936 f„ nC no'o aS Tp romoted t 0 Patrol Officer early’ in 1938. He was at the Sydney University

undergoing special training, in 1938, and, on his return to New Guinea in Septem ber, 1938, he was posted to the Sepik Dis trict. He was a fine type of young man and was held in high regard by his chiefs.

He had spent most of his service, since his appointment as a cadet, in the more difficult areas. He frequently made patrols into the uncontrolled districts and there fore was experienced in handling wild natives.

Patrol Officer Nell Elliott.