January 23
p. 21 · Read in the full issue
Remembered in Rabaul and
Australia
Prom a Special Correspondent THE anniversary of the fall of Rabaul to the Japanese on January 23, 1942, was observed this year in Rabaul with two services—one at dawn at the Japanese landing point near Vulcan Island, and the other at 10 a.m. at the Colyer Watson wharf from whence the ill-fated “Montevideo Maru” is believed to have sailed with those civilian in ternees and AIF soldiers captured in the Rabaul area.
About 50 attended the dawn service; a smaller number the 10 a.m. service.
Both services were conducted by the Rev.
B, Chenoweth and wreaths were placed on the memorial stone at Vulcan as fol lows: By Mr. J. Gilmore on behalf of the RSSAILA, Rabaul; Mr. A, J. Gaskin, on behalf of the NGVR; Miss Dorothy Stewart, New Guinea Women’s Assn., Melbourne; Mrs. Vallentine. New Guinea Association, Brisbane; Mrs. Maxwell, New Guinea Women’s Club of Sydney; Captain Backhouse, Ist Australian War Criminals Compound; Mr. L. Corbett. Colyer Wat son (NG) Ltd.; Miss Holden. New Guinea Company; Mrs. Hicks, Southern Pacific Insurance Ltd.; Mrs. C. Bates, widows and children.
There were several private w eaths.
Rarely has Rabaul had a more impres sive dawn. The harbour was still and when the sun emerged from a spot of dull, grey cloud the whole area was tipped with rosy-pink.
This year, due to the fact that a large number of bombs have been exploded in that vicinity, Vulcan was more accessible.
And, on the day previous to the dawn service, Mr. Rolf Cambridge sent in a team of boys who practically swept the area.
It is hoped to have a working-bee there shortly to do the preliminary work on what perhaps will some day be a small park—something that visitors might care to visit. At the present time they would have to fight their way througn more jungle than the original Jap landing party did, to see anything.
Ceremony in Sydney
IN Martin Place, Sydney, on January 23, about 40 relatives and friends gathered at 10 a.m. to pay tribute to the memory of the New Guinea men lost during the invasion of New Britain and in the Japanese prison ship “Montevideo Maru” in June, 1942.
A dozen wreaths were placed on the Cenotaph in a quiet ceremony, the more impressive for its simplicity. Led by Mr.
H. L. Clark, formerly of Rabaul, the wreath-bearers faced the Cenotaph and each in turn advanced to place the tri bute on the stone coping; a pace back and a long moment of reflection: then back into line.
Mr. Clark placed there a laurel garland on behalf of the NG Branch of the RSS&AILA, with a green and gold pen nant of the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles and a ribbon bearing the message, “Lest We Forget.”
Of the other floral tributes one was from the Sydney New Guinea Women’s Club. There were many private tributes.
Service In Melbourne
THE New Guinea Women’s Association, Melbourne, joined with the 2nd/ 22nd in a Service at the Shrine on January 23. The Rev. F. G. Lewis as sisted Lieut-Col. Leggett in the cere mony.
After a service on the steps, returned members of the 2nd/22nd filed into the building, followed by relatives and friends of the fallen, where a two minutes silence was followed by the Last Post.
Floral wreaths were on the Rock of Remembrance, Lady McNicoll, who was visiting Melbourne, placing the wreath of the New Guinea Women’s As sociation in memory of those who had lost their lives.
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