Warm Praise

For Mr. J. K. McCarthy

‘TITHE hero of the escape of the motor- J. ship ‘Lakatoi’ from the Japs early in 1942 unquestionably was young J. K. McCarthy, who was a District Of ficer in New Guinea,” said Mr, G. P.

Brown, formerly of Rabaul, in a recent interview.

“Most of the credit for the arrival of the ‘Lakatoi’ in Cairns, with 250 rescued men aboard, must go to McCarthy. The men themselves realised it. I never heard such cheers as they gave McCarthy at the end of that voyage. Other high offi cials were not cheered. Some of them were hooted.”

Mr. Brown, who is well on in years, was one of the civilians who escaped from Rabaul as the Japs came in. His party tried to get to Gasmata, but were cut off by Japs. They narrowly escaped the Tol massacre—they were hidden not half a mile away while that slaughter went on.

Then they headed for Adelaide Bay and Open Bay; and they were picked up by a native police party, sent across from Talasea *by District Officer McCarthy, under Frank Holland, to as sist refugees generally. With Mr. Brown, in the party of 33, who thus Were rescued, were Ron Feetum, Ron Freedom, Harry Cheetham, Sandy Sinclair, Jim Palmer, Trevor Bruce, Norman Geldard, and Doyle, of the electricity company.

They picked up a couple of badly wounded soldiers. One, William Collins, of Sydney, was in a very bad way, but Jim Palmer attended to his terrible wounds and he was brought out to safety. Another, named Wise, of Mel bourne, made a game effort, but he died, later, under Mr. Brown’s bunk.

After some fearful experiences, they got out to Iboki, and across to the Witu Islands in small boats, where they joined the “Lakatoi.” Mr. McCarthy had been instrumental in gathering together some 250 men, who were packed aboard the little vessel. Soon afterwards, they slip ped away westwards, and through Dam pier Strait to China Strait and Cairns.

Japs were everywhere—but bold measures succeeded.