J. Hooper, Lest We Forget: Recollections of the 1942 Papuan Battle (self-published, 2021)
ISBN: 9780645283716, paperback, colour photos, references
This booklet contains the recollections and perspectives of the son of an Australian Army Officer who fought in the PIB against the Japanese Army during the Kokoda Campaign. The text represents the elaboration of a presentation about the roles of some Kokoda Veterans, delivered in 2021 to the relatives and friends of the Servicemen involved. The author approaches his task in a humble way, aiming to portray the Kokoda Servicemen he knew and a few of their War exploits.
The first part of the book deals with recollections from the 2007 Isurava Memorial Trek commemorating the 65th anniversary of the 1942 Battle of Isurava. Six veterans from the PIB, 39th Bn, and 2/14th Bn, then aged in their late 80’s, were accompanied by family carers, kinsfolk and trekkers. Bill Guest’s (39th Bn) ashes were spread on the Isurava plateau. Some relatives recollected fathers who died at Isurava. Two of the veterans had since published their recollections from this Papuan battle. This chapter preserves some of the recollections.
The second part deals with recollections prompted by a group of 6 relatives on a 2015 non-trekking tour of the 1942 Papuan battle fields, in particular, the beach-head sites at Buna, Gona and Sanananda. They were relatives of veterans from 49th Bn, PIB, ANGAU, 2/6th Bn, 39th Bn, 2/14th Bn, 2/31st Bn and HMAS Shropshire. Their relatives had served with distinction, one being awarded the Military Medal. The Papuan villages elders also shared recollections of Lt Alan Haddy (2/16th Bn).
The third section includes a poem written by an unidentified soldier of the 49th Bn (circa 1940). The poem laments and highlights the desire of the “choco” militia, who were then being used as a garrison force, to join the fighting. Little did this poet know of the vital role that the militia would play in shaping the spirit and character of other Australian soldiers.
The booklet concludes by identifying how these veterans are being remembered in different ways such as the naming of a major bridge in Caboolture, awarding of a CBE, a State Funeral. The booklet is interspersed with high-quality photographs of the mateship, empathy and comradeship that has endured.
This 66-page booklet offers a modern, family perspective on some known and relatively unknown Servicemen whose stories need to be told. Here, also, are glimpses of the attitudes of the indigenous descendants of PNG Servicemen and Carriers in that War. As we approach the 80th anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign, this fresh perspective is welcome.
This booklet contains the recollections and perspectives of the son of an Australian Army Officer who fought in the PIB against the Japanese Army during the Kokoda Campaign. The text represents the elaboration of a presentation about the roles of some Kokoda Veterans, delivered in 2021 to the relatives and friends of the Servicemen involved. The author approaches his task in a humble way, aiming to portray the Kokoda Servicemen he knew and a few of their War exploits.
The first part of the book deals with recollections from the 2007 Isurava Memorial Trek commemorating the 65th anniversary of the 1942 Battle of Isurava. Six veterans from the PIB, 39th Bn, and 2/14th Bn, then aged in their late 80’s, were accompanied by family carers, kinsfolk and trekkers. Bill Guest’s (39th Bn) ashes were spread on the Isurava plateau. Some relatives recollected fathers who died at Isurava. Two of the veterans had since published their recollections from this Papuan battle. This chapter preserves some of the recollections.
The second part deals with recollections prompted by a group of 6 relatives on a 2015 non-trekking tour of the 1942 Papuan battle fields, in particular, the beach-head sites at Buna, Gona and Sanananda. They were relatives of veterans from 49th Bn, PIB, ANGAU, 2/6th Bn, 39th Bn, 2/14th Bn, 2/31st Bn and HMAS Shropshire. Their relatives had served with distinction, one being awarded the Military Medal. The Papuan villages elders also shared recollections of Lt Alan Haddy (2/16th Bn).
The third section includes a poem written by an unidentified soldier of the 49th Bn (circa 1940). The poem laments and highlights the desire of the “choco” militia, who were then being used as a garrison force, to join the fighting. Little did this poet know of the vital role that the militia would play in shaping the spirit and character of other Australian soldiers.
The booklet concludes by identifying how these veterans are being remembered in different ways such as the naming of a major bridge in Caboolture, awarding of a CBE, a State Funeral. The booklet is interspersed with high-quality photographs of the mateship, empathy and comradeship that has endured.
This 66-page booklet offers a modern, family perspective on some known and relatively unknown Servicemen whose stories need to be told. Here, also, are glimpses of the attitudes of the indigenous descendants of PNG Servicemen and Carriers in that War. As we approach the 80th anniversary of the Kokoda Campaign, this fresh perspective is welcome.
Gregory J. Ivey
[Assn Members may obtain this book for only $20 from the author jayh@bigpond.net.au Alternatively you can order the eBook for $7.69 from Booktopia.]