Empire Medal For Four
pp. 31-32 · Read in the full issue
Papuans
FOR brave conduct, and in recognition of their services to the Australian Military Forces, four Papuans have been awarded the British Empire Medal.
It was announced on December 21, that the King had approved of the awards to Sergeant (then Corporal) Arwesor, and Corporal Merire—both members of the Royal Papuan Constabu lary—and to two natives, Sirip and Gomeri. The citations are as follows: Arwesor was taken prisoner by the enemy, who tortured and threatened him with death unless he revealed informa tion concerning Allied troops, but he doggedly refused to give any information and later, by his resourcefulness and cunning, he escaped.
Merire’s courage, determination, and resource have been outstanding. After a narrow escape, and believing a com panion had been killed, Merire continued the special work on which he was engaged.
Sirip, throughout all the hazardous undertakings for which he volunteered, displayed exceptional courage and out standing devotion to the Allied cause.
During a raid, Gomeri guided a mortar party right through the outer enemy defences. His remarkable loyalty to the Allied cause had an extremely beneficial
effect on all natives in the surrounding area.
Mr. Norman Neal, of Wau, New Guinea, who holds high rank in the Australian forces, has joined the ever-growing group of Territorians who, as active members of the AIF, are doing invaluable work on the actual battle-front in New Guinea.