Dear Members of the PIB/PIR Assn
Sadly, I advise you of the death of Lance Sergeant Ben Moide C.B.E., a famous warrior of World War 2.
Ben, aged 88, was living with his family at Waigani on the outskirts of Port Moresby.
Ben’s father came from the village of Saguane on Kiwai Island near Daru in the Western District while his mother came from the Motuan village of Pari, 5km to the east of Port Moresby. Steven Benjamin Moide was born on 21 June 1924, the third of nine children. Ben’s mixed cultural background was a marked feature of his Army and civilian life.
Ben left the Catholic School at Badili to sign up for the Papuan Infantry Battalion at age 16 without telling his parents but telling the Australian Enlistment Officer that he was 19. Ben’s recruit training Sergeant was the equally famous (former Police) Sgt. Katue M.M. from Kikori. Lahui Ako’s biography of Ben (“Nameless Warriors”) published in 2012 by UPNG (www.pngbuai.com/buybooks) demonstrates that he learnt quickly and was promoted into leadership roles by his Australian taubadas.
The post-war society was difficult for Ben and other soldiers unless they re-enlisted in the Pacific Islands Regiment (from 1951). Ben persevered through the development problems of Port Moresby and found employment with the Australian Administrator, the UPNG Vice- Chancellor and finally SP Brewery. After the war also, Ben was very active as a leader in the RSL and in the developing Rugby League organisation.
Ben was honoured with a M.B.E. then a C.B.E. and he was chosen to represent all ex-Servicemen at all PNG Remembrance Day Services (23 July) in recent decades. In that capacity, Ben was an advocate and an icon for the PIB and NGIB in Papua New Guinea. Ben was a frequent and welcome guest at ANZAC Day and Kokoda Day services in Qld where his presence reminded everyone of the critical role played by the PIB and NGIB in all the PNG campaigns (except Milne Bay) during World War 2. Ben maintained a close relationship with Qld’s Capt. Alan Hooper (PIB, ANGAU) as they reminisced, in Motu, about their war experiences.
It is too soon to assess Ben’s broad legacy but his cross-cultural work and his published perspective as a Papuan warrior would both rate highly among historians. The PIB NGIB HQ PIR Association has lost one of its heroes.
May he rest well satisfied with his contribution to his country,
Greg Ivey
Membership Officer
L.Sgt. Ben Moide C.B.E at the Kokoda Monument
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has joined the nation in expressing sadness at the passing of the war veteran Ben Moide.
Mr O’Neill in a statement yesterday described the war veteran as a grand age and one of PNG’s most distinguished citizens.
“I doubt if there has been a better known, and more widely liked, Papua New Guinean than Ben Moide,” Mr O’Neill said.
“His passing will be felt in many communities nation-wide, because he became the living and enduring symbol of the courageous World War Two service and sacrifice by Papuans and New Guineans, in a very dangerous and troubling period.”
“His passing will also be deeply felt in ex-service groups and among World War Two ex-servicemen and women in Australia, with whom he kept in close contact ever since the end of the war.
“They held him in the highest esteem for his courage, and his humanity.
“His passing marks the end of another of the ever diminishing human connections with World War Two, and especially the war on our land and seas.’’
Moide joined the Papuan Infantry Battalion of the Australian Army in 1940 at the age of 16. He served in the battle for Kokoda and other campaigns rising to the rank of Sergeant and towards the end of the war serving as an instructor.
“Late Moide is a champion for the rights of our ex-service personnel, including those who served in the Australian Army, and war carriers, to the very end. I have no doubt the high regard in which he was held in the RSL and other service organisations in Australia helped gain some benefits for our veterans.
“Ben Moide was awarded the CBE for his service to the nation,” PM O’Neill said.
He was a prominent participant in our Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies and they will just not be the same without him.
“It is wonderful that Ben Moide lived for almost 70 years after the end of his war service. He raised a large and proud family, and he was a good citizen to the very end.
“I hope they gain comfort from the certain knowledge that Ben Moide was a wonderful citizen, a distinguished ex-serviceman, and one of the true heroes of our nation.”
____________________________________________________________________
Click here to read about the PNG State Funeral for Lance Sergeant Ben Moide.