Kokoda Carriers Honoured

Carriers of the war-time Kokoda Trail were honoured with the ing on November 2, at Kokoda Government Station, Papua, of this memorial.

WITH the Owen Stanleys as a back-drop, the green Yodda Valley stretching back from the Station, and perfect weather, the atmosphere was one of a large family gathered together for a moment to honour the men whose service now is part of P-NG history.

The monument was erected on the initiative and at the expence of Mr. H. T. Kienzle, of Mamba Plantations, who as Captain and later Major, and with extensive knowledge of locality and natives, brought order out of carrier-line chaos in the dark days of 1942.

The memorial is of cement faced with local water-worn stones; the bronze bar at the top symbolises the unity of Australians and Papuans straining against a common enemy. The two bronze plaques, de signed by Melbourne artist, Mr. Ray Ewers (who was in Kokoda for the

ceremony), depict, respectively,

native stretcher bearers, and carriers moving up the Trail with military supplies. 30 Carriers Present DC of Northern District, Mr. E. G.

Hicks, said in an address that the monument was inspired by a 1942 campfire conversation between Cap tain Kienzle and the well-loved, late Doctor Vernon, MC, who did so much for the carriers. “Of all the men concerned in the Kokoda cam paign/’ said Mr. Hicks, “none knew better than these two, the great hardships endured by the carriers.”

Official guests who flew from Port Moresby included the Admin istrator (who unveiled the memorial)

and Mrs. Cleland; the Ah Bishop of P-NG, the Rtt P. N. W. Strong (who dedicaii memorial) and Mr. C. R. Lai Secretary to the Departmn Territories.

Officially representing the : people were 30 ex-Kokodae carriers, 28 of whom had beer; in from other parts of the; tory. About 2,000 natives, s<e whom walked 180 miles, attd Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Kiens.

Mr. and Mrs. W. Kienzle entes over 40 guests after the cen and a huge sing-sing was hr the natives The 300 Mamba I tion staff were given two dai one to sing.-sing and one to i

The Administratlc NG, Brig. D. M. unveils the Memorial. It the war-time [?] riers of the ‘ Kokoda trail which the Japane pushed back attempt to tar Moresby Photo: K.

Jones.