Major Grahamslaw, OBE

Honour Was Won in Difficult Buna Campaign

AN interesting event—which was not

reported in Australia—took place at

the Residency, Port Moresby, last

May, when the well-known and popular

Mr. “Tommy” Grahamslaw was invested with the Order of the OBE. Mr.

Grahamslaw was Collector of Customs at Samarai when the invasion came. He now

is Superintendent of Stores.

The citation is as follows: Lieutenant (Temporary Major) Thomas Grahamslaw was stationed at Awala when the initial Japanese landing was effected at Buna on July 21, 1942. He immediately assembled a patrol for forward reconnaissance of enemy dispositions but rapidly-advancing enemy troops attacked his party on three sides. Major Grahamslaw ordered the patrol to disperse, he himself remaining in the bush within the enemy lines. He was in contact with the Japanese for several days, only his excellent bushcraft preserving his own life on several occasions.

After gaining much valuable information, he made his way through the enemy lines and reported his findings to HQ NG Force.

Major Grahamslaw was attached to HQ 7th Aust. Div. on liaison duties in August, 1942. when his knowledge of the natives and of Mambare district was used to considerable ad vantage in drivinsr the Japanese Forces back across the Owen Stanley Ranges to the north coast of Papua. In October, 1942. Major Grahamslaw returned to Mambare district and resumed liaison duties with the Allied Force HQ operating in the district.

“Thus this officer saw almost constant for ward service throughout the Buna-Gona cam paign, from the initial landing to the final destruction and defeat of the enemy forces in the Bmia-Gona and Sanananda areas. He was a familiar figure to all forward Brigade Com manders, and his continued presence in the forward areas was a constant incentive and encouragement to the thousands of natives who were helping our troops.

“Maior Grahamslaw’s personal courage and valuable liaison work were worthy of the highest praise.”