Harold Koch, Mc

DEPICTED herewith is Harold Koch, of Arawe Plantation, Gasmata, New Britain. Harold is one of the original old-timers of the Territory, having gone there shortly after the 1914-18 war.

Beloved by all who have met him, Harold’s smiling good nature is proof against all the slings and arrows of mis fortune—even the Japanese occupation of New Guinea found him still grimly grin ning while he set about doing his bit to drive the yellow men out of his country.

Fighting the King’s enemies is no ne v occupation to Harold, for he served in ths 1914-18 show and was awarded the Military Cross.

In the last war, Harold began by res cuing Group-Captain Lerue, RAAF, from the depths of the Gasmata jungles, where that gallant officer had been shot-down.

Harold then joined the RAAF where he served with Eric Feldt’s Coast-Watchers.

A splendid seaman, Harold was the skipper of his own vessel. “Arawe,” whien was lost during the Jap occupation—it is pleasing to hear that he now has anew ship. So he may now' divide his time between his favourite occupations—tending Arawe Plantation and sailing New Guinea

waters,-

J.K.M.