Kokoda Spirit Blog

Kokoda Spirit Trekkers thoughts....

2012-05-30T14:07:00.002+10:00

Hi Wayne,

"Nat, I couldn't agree with Kelly & Geoff more... I did the Trek on my own (with Kokoda Spirit of course, but no Family or Friends)... I was packing it, wondering if I'd be fit enough and how I'd get along with people... My Trek Guide was Richard; he was 68years old when we did the Trek in May 2011, an absolute treasure of a man...

My group were all Amazing people, I feel truly blessed to have made the emotional journey with all of them... There was a quote Richard read out to us before we started trekking, I don't remember it word for word, but it basically said that we all start the trek as strangers and finish as Family & Friends... It really couldn't have been more true for my group...

My advice to you, is to take everything in, Talk to anyone and everyone, they all have a story to tell... The PNG people have a beautiful soul... Having met them, I truly understand just how safe and cared for, Our Brave Diggers must have felt...

The trek is tough, but the reward of trekking that beautiful track far out ways everything else... Around every corner is something magical, no matter how many photos you show people and how many stories you tell them when you return, they will never truly understand just what the track is like and the emotional effect it will have on you... You have to witness it first hand...

I look at my photos and videos and I cry every single time, I honestly cannot wait to go back...

I am a very proud Australian who left a piece of my heart on that Sacred Track..."

http://www.kokodaspirit.com/

2012-05-30T14:05:00.001+10:00

Schoolies Week Adventures!

Hey Guys, everyone has heard about Schoolies and the great party and celebrations that go with it, after 12 years of school you deserve to celebrate!

But not everyone has heard about Schoolies Week Adventures run by Kokoda Spirit!

Are you looking for more than just a party, do you want to do something really incredible! Visit exotic places, conquer a mountain or walk in the footsteps of heroes with your fellow schoolies?

If so read on.......

Kokoda Spirit has designed 3 incredible life changing and empowering adventures for those school leavers that want to mark the end of their school years with something unique, powerful, and truly memorable.

KOKODA TRACK 20/11/10 - 27/11/10-Trek the Kokoda Track in PNG. Prices start from $3195.00 per person including return international airfares from Brisbane and pre and post trek accommodation in Port Moresby!

BORNEO 27/11/10 - 04/12/10-Trek the infamous Sandakan Track in Borneo, visit the Orang-utan sanctuary, climb (non technical) South East Asia’s highest mountain Mt Kinabalu at 4098m and white water raft down one of Borneo’s incredibly beautiful rivers! Prices start from $3395.00 per person.

MT KILIMANJARO 04/12/10 - 11/12/10-Climb the World’s highest free standing mountain and Africa’s highest the incredible Mt Kilimanjaro along the Machame route. Prices start from $2395.00 per person.

These treks are exclusively for schoolies.

Want more information?

Contact Kokoda Spirit on 07 54452758 or kokodaspirit@bigpond.com

www.kokodaspirit.com

2012-05-22T16:25:00.000+10:00

Green Spirit fire Update

We have now distributed and tested 12 of these cooking fire places to the camp sites that we use on the track.

I took more of the Green Spirit Fire places over during the Anzac trek and they were amazingly efficient and effective.

The idea of the fire places is to reduce the amount of fire wood burnt and speeds up the cooking process with a much more controlled fire and temperature.

The fire places are designed to have multiple levels for cooking and can be used for boiling water, baking and frying pans. It also makes a great fire for the boys and trekkers to sit around.

The feedback we have had from our Kokoda Spirit cooks and the local villages about how easy they are to use has been terrific.

The Villages and Landowners also commented that they no longer needed to collect as much wood for the cooking fires.

With the collection of firewood a major chore for the Villages and Landowners the massive reduction in the need for firewood to cook was received with plenty of enthusiasm.

My plan is to get these Green Spirit Fire places manufactured in Kokoda or POM as a small business project for the locals.

The project could also be extended to manufacture fire place accessories, ovens etc.

All we need is some benevolent sponsor to assist then we could put the basic equipment into Kokoda, a hand wound metal roller, guillotine and pneumatic hole punch.

The grand plan would be for every family, camp site and village in PNG to have one.

2012-05-22T13:33:00.000+10:00

ANZAC DAY 2012

In 1942 a small band of young Australian Soldiers deep in the Jungle of Papua New Guinea,

fought one of the greatest battles in Australia's history.

Out numbered and out gunned against an overwhelming, voracious and relentless enemy our men held their line. Not for King and empire but for their Country, Mates and families.

Their Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice will never be forgotten, their spirit will live forever.

The name Kokoda is etched in blood of young Australians.

70 Years later four of those young 39th Battalion Veterans flew back to Isurava, Bill Bellair, Alan “Kanga” Moore, Jim Stillman and Cec Driscoll return to Papua New Guinea on Anzac Day 2012, some for the first time in 70 years. Their journey back to Isurava is emotional…

The Chief of Army Lieutenant General David Morrison flew into Isurava by Black Hawk helicopter to personally deliver a powerful and passionate speech at the Anzac Day service, acknowledging the great deeds done by these gallant men and their mates.

There to meet them as well is a band of trekkers who have walked the Kokoda Track in their footsteps to pay their respects and give thanks to these brave men.

Proud, passionate and with purpose these men never forget the sacrifice, integrity, initiative, mateship and courage of their mates.

They are a credit to themselves, their mates, family and a grateful nation.

Their Sacrifice and Spirit will never be forgotten.

www.kokodaspirit.com

http://www.kokodaspirit.com/

Green Spirit Fire

2012-04-13T09:50:00.000+10:00

Kokoda Spirit has begun distributing its Green Spirit Fire places across the Kokoda Track.

Kokoda Spirit Managing Director Wayne Wetherall and Kokoda Spirit Trek Leader Bill Kelly, designed the innovative fire places to reduce the amount of fire wood needed to cook meals across the track.

The fire places not only reduce dramatically the amount of fire wood needed to prepare the meals but have also reduced substantially the amount of time it takes to cook meals and boil water.

The fire places are being distributed to camp sites by the Kokoda Spirit teams across the Kokoda Track during the Anzac period.

Wayne Wetherall commented that he hoped to be able to distribute these innovative fire places to all villages and camp sites across the track.

The reduction in fire wood usage is a great step forward in protecting the enviroment and integrity of the track.

Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com

Kokoda Spirit Light up the Kokoda Track.

2012-04-13T09:23:00.001+10:00

Kokoda Spirit Light up the Kokoda Track.

Kokoda Spirit is proud to be associated with the Kokoda Track Foundation as a Gold Sponsor.

Kokoda Spirit Managing Director Wayne Wetherall assisted with the Lighting up the Track project by funding lights for this very worthwhile project.

Kokoda Spirit is Lighting Up Iorabaiwa, Naoro 1, Efogi 2, 1900 Crossing, Templeton’s 1 & 2, Hoi, Kovello, Oivi, and Gorari Villages. They are funding the distribution of 255 solar lights to these communities.

The Kokoda Track Foundation, is commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the WWII Kokoda campaign by providing 3500 solar lights to the descendants of the legendary Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. The KTF aims to give a solar-powered LED light to every villager along the Kokoda Track, an area without access to electricity.

"This project is a game changer. It will dramatically improve people's lives in ways many Australians will find difficult to imagine," KTF chairman, Patrick Lindsay, said today."It will mean villages will no longer have to live by the dull glow of their camp fires after sundown. It will enable school students to read books and do their homework after dark for the first time in their lives. It will allow families to prepare and eat their dinner in safety and comfort."

The KTF has partnered with Brisbane-based social enterprise, FlexiWay Solar, to source the solar lights, which were developed in Australia and Argentina and made in China. The lights are weatherproof, dust-proof and shock-proof and will last for 8 hours on full power and 15 hours on half power on a full day’s solar charge. Individual lights can be clicked together to illuminate larger dwellings, schoolrooms and community halls.

One of the heroes of the Kokoda campaign, Mr Bede Tongs MM, a platoon commander in the 3rd Battalion during the battles in the area 70 years ago, delivered the first solar lights to Koko village, near Kokoda, this week. Mr Tongs also presented graduation certificates to 56 teachers who qualified for an Elementary Teaching Certificate last week by completing a six-week course run by the KTF in Koko village.

"It was an honour to bring some light to the lives of the families of the men who helped us all those years ago," Mr Tongs said. “I was overwhelmed by the welcome I received from both the villagers and the graduates," Mr Tongs added. "I felt I was representing my comrades, especially those who did not return home with us. "I'm sure the new teachers will make a huge difference in improving the prospects of the coming generations of people from the area and the lights will change lives dramatically."

Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com

Sandakan

2012-04-13T09:09:00.000+10:00

Sandakan

It is great news the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation (DIGO) has undertaken to develop a topographical map of the Telupid to Tampias sector of the Japanese 1945 Sandakan to Ranau track.

This map will be a great tool for all trekkers who want to follow in the footsteps of the Sandakan Death March route.

The correct Sandakan Track route has been under some cloud since Wayne Wetherall and his team walked what they believe to be the correct route based on a map produced and researched by Historian and Author Kevin Smith OAM.

This ongoing research by the Department will allow all trekkers to walk with confidence along the most likely route that the POWs walked.

http://www.sandakandeathmarch.com.au/

Sandakan and Project Kingfisher

2012-04-13T08:43:00.001+10:00

Kokoda Spirit Managing Director Wayne Wetherall has been working closely with Historian and Author Kevin Smith OAM in regards to Sandakan.

Recently Kevin wrote to Wayne in regards to the following article.

Wayne,

Several years ago I was guest speaker on an occasion where the audience included the Chiefs or Deputy Chiefs of each of Australia's armed services and many of their senior officers such as General Peter Cosgrove. If you would like to copy the article and put on your web site, which is attached for each of the members of your forthcoming visit and give it to them with my compliments I would be most grateful.

Best wishes to you all for the trek.
Kind regards, Kevin

Sandakan and Project Kingfisher

Address at The Australian Golf Club, Sydney for their War Memorial and War Service Day 28th August 2008 Dr Kevin Smith OAM

I would like to thank this long-established and prestigious Australian Golf Club for your kind invitation to be with you all this evening, and my friend Wesley Browne for making the suggestion to you. I join you in your tribute to the men and women you honour on this War Memorial and War Service Trophy Day.

When some day you go to Sandakan -- and you really should go -- you will no doubt want to visit the Sandakan Country Club. You will be made most welcome, for Australians are held in friendly respect in that Malaysian state of Sabah.

Perhaps while in Sabah you would like to visit a couple of their world-class golf courses, such as:

* Mt Kinabalu at 1500 metres or 5,000 feet, where floating clouds are a common hazard on the fairways, with a mountain half as high as Everest as a backdrop

* or on the west coast, Sutera Harbour’s 27 holes offer day and night golfing with spectacular views of the South China Sea

* or magnificent Shan Sui at Tawau on the east coast, with its 15th hole, The Creek, ranked as one of the best par 4s in the world.

If you went to Sabah in August you could join in the annual commemoration of Sandakan Day, our VP Day, on 15th August.

63 years ago if you had been in the First Australian Parachute Battalion on the Atherton Tablelands you would have been booked in for a direct flight from Morotai to the Sandakan Country Club, free tickets even, but unfortunately your flight was cancelled. It just vanished from the planned schedule at the end of March 1945.

Unfortunate for you -- a matter of a certain lifelong regret, especially if you were one of the younger battalion members, for you were thus denied the opportunity for any World War 2 active service. Well, perhaps lucky for you.

It was certainly unlucky for over fifteen hundred Australian POWs who died there in Borneo during the final eight awful, captive months of the war, in 1945.

Your flight to Sandakan was to have been part of a dramatic rescue mission, meticulously planned by Colonel Overell’s battalion, and for which you had trained hard for many months. You may not have known your exact destination , but your training scenarios, your officers’ Tactical Exercises Without Troops (their TEWTs) made it pretty clear you’d be heading for a large island in the tropics. The battalion had long guessed that big things lay ahead. Between September ’44 and April ’45 there were at least six visits by VIPs, including three by Lieut General Morshead. Such visits do not occur casually nor at random. Behind the ceremonial inspection parades and the demonstrations by the diggers, behind closed doors there were confidential discussions and briefings for Overell and his senior officers about the unit’s imminent operations. The Sandakan Country Club was to have been your Drop Zone.

Tonight you are the first audience to which I have spoken about a tragic and scandalous sequence of events over 60 years ago. In 1942 and 1943, 2,026 Australian soldiers, one airman, two sailors of HMAS PERTH and one YMCA officer had been sent from Changi to Borneo to work on a military airfield for the enemy. Over 90% of these men were destined to perish, most at Sandakan, many on the death marches and many at Ranau beneath Mt Kinabalu -- beaten, ill, starved, murdered, ignored.

Sometimes it is said that only six survived that long and terrible Borneo captivity. In fact 218 survived to come home. However of the 789 Australians on the death marches there were only six who came home.

By the end of 1944 there were 120 Australians who had died at Sandakan. Another 1,692 would die in the first eight months of 1945. I tell some of their many stories in my two books about that horrifying captivity, stories of men who did not live to return to their families or to play golf in a contented twilight of their years.

I was still at school in 1945 so how, you bask, can I presume to tell their story? Well, let me tell you another story, about the fellow who ordered a double scotch here in your clubhouse:

“With ice, sir?”

“No, straight, but put just two drops of water in it please.”

“That’s unusual sir.”

“Not at all. Over the years I’ve learned to hold my liquor quite well. Unfortunately as I grow older I have increasing difficulty in holding my water.”

It’s often said that old soldiers are reluctant to share their stories with family or non-service friends. They hold their more awful memories deep within themselves. As they’ve grown older however, they are a little more able to release that hold on the past, more able to tell what their war was like for them. They realize that when they pass on their stories will be lost forever. In my books I try to preserve some of those stories for posterity, and I am grateful to those veterans of the Borneo years for trusting me to do this.

As well as dozens of interviews, I have analysed hundreds of original wartime documents in the national archives, such as reports from the commandoes of “Z” Special Unit in enemy-occupied Borneo, many at the time marked “Top Secret”. On one occasion I was told to wait outside my Sydney hotel at a certain time. A car pulled up, double-parked, the driver got out, went to the boot, lifted out two large boxes of tattered documents for me, and then drove off. They proved to be original documents from the 1940s and very useful for my research.

In mid-July 1944 planning was authorized for a secret mission to reconnoitre the east coast area of Borneo around Sandakan in preparation for a rescue mission in late’44 or early ’45 -- Operation KINGFISHER. The planning did not at first get very far.

The archival records tell us that planning would commence when the designated leader, Major Gort Chester, came back from leave. It was a well-deserved leave, following his nine months hazardous intelligence gathering duties on Operation PYTHON in wild coastal country 150 kms south of Sandakan, for five of those months hunted by patrols of Japanese marines. He had really reached the end of his tether, physically and mentally, by the time he and his five younger comrades were extracted from that exhausting mission, north-east of Tawau. Always highly regarded by most of those who served with him, Chester’s tactical awareness now seemed to be increasingly suspect, and in quite bizarre ways.

The archival documents reveal no sense of urgency in the headquarters planning to rescue POWs at Sandakan on the east coast of Borneo. The initial planning proved unacceptable to MacArthur’s General Headquarters., and indeed the planned reconnaissance was located far, far to the west of Sandakan, over 200 kms as the hornbill flies, covering territory known to Chester from his pre-war days as a plantation manager just south of Sutera Harbour on the west coast.

You have been told that KINGFISHER failed because MacArthur would not make available the necessary thirty C47s (DC3s) for the Australian parachute battalion. That erroneous belief still persists today.

During the war many members of the Armoured Corps, fretting at their inability to get away from Australia, had found their way into the Parachute Battalion. At the 2nd Annual Conference of the Armoured Corps Association in November 1947, General Blamey stated that he could not get the necessary aircraft allocated for a rescue operation. Yet at the time, it seems that 71 C47s were here in Australia. It seems that there was a certain fudging of the facts, or perhaps simple confusion. General Morshead had a preference to use his parachute battalion for the Balikpapan amphibious landings in July. For that attack, aircraft were ultimately unavailable I understand.

In Federal Parliament soon after Blamey’s newsworthy announcement to the former members of the Armoured Corps, Prime Minister Chifley stated – upon advice – that Army authorities had no record of a rescue plan.

Now back to 1944. Fresh plans were drawn up for MacArthur’s GHQ and they proved acceptable. Then Gort Chester crankily demanded that the operation would need to be delayed until after the wet season. That is probably until February 1945. This, despite the fact that reinforcements for the earlier Operation PYTHON had been sent to Borneo in January 1944 -- in the wet season.

As it turned out a submarine insertion, a reconnaissance for KINGFISHER, was eventually activated in January 1945. Yet somehow Chester’s profound influence ensured that the insertion plan developed as a west coast operation. I’ve been to their intended landing place, a long and lonely beach even today, but the operation was aborted there.

A tall, dead tree inland from the anticipated point of insertion was mistaken for a radio tower, indicating the presence of the enemy. Chester decided not to land, and the party returned all the way back to Australia !

On 18th February Chester flew an aerial reconnaissance over the Sandakan POW camp and reported that it seemed to have been evacuated -- at a time when there were something like 2,000 Australian and British prisoners still there.

Nevertheless, on 24th February a renewed recce mission led by Chester departed Darwin by submarine, arriving at an east coast point of insertion in Borneo on 3rd March, still over 60 km across Labuk Bay, west of Sandakan. A new Zealand member of this group has suggested that Chester considered it too dangerous any closer to Sandakan. There is no evidence that this mission ever seriously probed around Sandakan. Instead, Chester relied upon not entirely reliable native rumours for his frequent radio reports back to Darwin.

For example, in “Z” Unit’s headquarters in Melbourne, in the secret Services Reconnaissance Department, Intelligence Report No. 65 on 4th April 1945, consistent with Major Chester’s earlier signals, stated that: “ All signs indicate an enemy evacuation of Sandakan.” . In fact, over one thousand Australian POWs were still there.

There is no further mention of Project KINGFISHER in the planning documents after 31st March 1945. If, according to aerial reconnaissance, there was no one to rescue, then aircraft were not needed. KINGFISHER simply vanished because of faulty intelligence.

On 25th May the First Australian Parachute Battalion at Atherton reluctantly stood down from its readiness for a rescue mission.

LEST WE FORGET.

http://www.sandakandeathmarch.com.au/

Remote/Wilderness First Aid Training

2012-03-13T10:57:00.002+11:00

Remote/Wilderness First Aid Training

Kokoda Spirit is very pleased to announce that their Kokoda Track Guides and Trek Masters have once again undertaken there annual First Aid Training.

Our Guides have also completed or in the process of completing the Remote/Wilderness Remote first aid course.

These courses will ensure that all of our Guides have the latest training to handle first aid situations on the Kokoda Track.

This year the Emergency first aid training and remote first aid training was subsidised by the Kokoda Track Safety package.

This initiative has allowed a larger number of local Kokoda Guides to receive this essential training.

Congratulations to all of our Kokoda Spirit Guides and Track Masters on attending and completing these very important courses.

www.kokodaspirit.com

Kokoda Spirit Singers

2012-03-12T16:37:00.001+11:00

Hi Guys
I have just uploaded on You Tube a new track song that the guys put together on their recent visit to Australia. It should also come up under Kokoda Spirit on You Tube. I hope you like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnK9pRsL8vI&feature=colike

PNG Guides Visit Australia

2012-03-12T16:35:00.000+11:00

Hi Guys

On behalf of the entire Kokoda Spirit team we would like to thank you for attending our themed Kokoda Spirit Trekker Reunion.

It was great to catch up with our amazing trekkers, some who had travelled from interstate.

We were very honoured to have Australian Paralympian and Adventurer Michael Milton as our guest speaker for the night, I’m sure you would agree Michael’s presentation was very inspirational.

Noel, Gideon, Mack and Helen enjoyed catching up with our trekkers and sharing some great laughs and songs, they were very excited to meet up with the trekkers again.

We hope you were able to relive some of your Kokoda experience and reminisce about the great times you had on the track.

I will also load up on Face book some photos of the night and a collection of photos of our PNG team’s trip to Queensland.

If you are not on Face book then you should join as we try and keep our trekkers up to date through this site.

Whilst Noel, Gideon, Mack and Helen were in Australia they had an amazing experience.

Just some of the things they did were:
City tour of Brisbane, swam in the surf and were taught the surf rules from the local lifesavers, went to the movies to see Star Wars 3D (enjoyed popcorn and coke), ate a meat pie and sausage roll from the bakery, learnt the art of the Aussie BBQ ( and the beer that goes with it ), taught them how to cook meals in an oven, ate McDonalds, stayed in a beachfront apartment, shopped till they dropped, featured in the local newspaper, learnt two new songs to sing on the track, learnt how to Kayak, etc… It was 5 days of fun and truly an eye opener for them.

Hopefully one day we will see you back on the track!

www.kokodaspirit.com

“COAST TO COAST CHALLENGE”

2012-01-24T13:46:00.001+11:00

Wayne Wetherall Managing Director is proud to annouce the dates for the 2012;

KOKODA SPIRIT

“COAST TO COAST CHALLENGE”
15-23 October

BIKE RIDE – TREK - BIKE RIDE

290 KM - 9 Days - Across PNG

ONE OF THE WORLDS GREAT ADVENTURES

Come and join us as we cross PNG from Coast to Coast by bike and foot as we complete the entire length of the Kokoda Track from Sanananda on the North Coast to Port Moresby on the South Coast.

The scenery is breathtaking….

The people and the culture unforgettable….

Real Life Heroes….

Our Coast to Coast Challenge will be one the greatest adventures and challenges of your life, come and join us! This is an exclusive event. There are limited places and a high fitness and Endurance level is required.

http://www.kokodaspirit.com/

"stooped so low as to attack a dead man".

2012-01-24T13:17:00.000+11:00

Jack Sue did not fabricate his wartime heroics, says his son

Theo Fakos Source: Perth Now

CLAIMS that one of Australia's greatest war heroes, Jack Wong Sue, fabricated key parts of his personal memoir Blood on Borneo have been refuted by a new inquiry.

But Lynette Silver, the historian who made the claims, has refused to back down and yesterday insisted: "There is not a single thing in this report that refutes anything."

The inquiry, commissioned by the WA World War II hero's oldest son Barry Sue, found "there appears to be absolutely no justification for calling Jack Wong Sue a liar".

It was launched after the historian claimed Mr Sue could not have witnessed one of the notorious Sandakan death marches in northeastern Borneo.

She also claimed he could not have been involved in killing a group of Japanese defenders in Trusan and saving the life of a fellow officer or being present during an attack on the town of Pitas.

Ms Silver, who first made the claims in July 2010, about six months after Mr Sue died, said there were factual errors in Blood on Borneo based on Special Operations Australia records.

But yesterday, Barry Sue said he hoped the inquiry's findings would ensure his father was remembered as the true hero he always was this Anzac Day.

And he said he was seeking legal advice about Ms Silver, who he said had "stooped so low as to attack a dead man".

The inquiry, conducted by the Australian Investigation Corporation, examined Mr Sue's personal diaries and documents, but also uncovered:

•Notes, written and signed by fellow veteran Don Harlem in 1984, stating: "Jack and I are writing the story of the infamous Borneo Death Marches. We are the only two original operatives who covered this whole 160-mile Death March route westwards from Sandakan to Ranau during hostilities".

•A naval message, written by "Jack" on behalf of Don Harlem and verified by his son as his handwriting, that reads: "From Don am in Trusan send priority Morotai not to bomb for ten days ..."

•A statutory declaration, signed by retired RAAF Sqn Ldr Ian Fogarty in 2010, stating he heard Don Harlem tell guests at his house in 1983 that Mr Sue had saved his life during the attack on Trusan.

•A statutory declaration, signed by Mr Sue's former neighbour Ray Krakouer in 2010, stating he distinctly remembered Don Harlem telling a group of people in the early 1980s that Mr Sue "had saved his life in Borneo behind Japanese lines in 1945".

•An affidavit, signed by veteran Graham Greenwood in 2010, stating that he saw Mr Sue, Mr Harlem and others set off to "carry out an attack on Pitas". "I am in no doubt whatsoever that Jack Sue was in the party that carried out the raid on Pitas. There are some things you never forget, and this is one of them".

•A letter from writer Craig Brown, creator of a Special Operations Australia website, stating he did not "consider the Official History of SOA volumes to be accurate sources. They were written by personnel who were not on the operations described and were not fact checked to ensure accuracy".

The inquiry noted that Mr Sue made "several apologies in advance as to any historical inaccuracies and colourful inclusions" within his book.

"Yet Silver has treated the work as such and castigated on those grounds, unfairly, we suggest," it found.

Barry Sue said he felt the inquiry meant his father's reputation was "well intact".

"I hope that it puts a lot of people's minds at rest now because Dad had a tremendous following," he said. But Ms Silver has stood by her claims that Mr Sue could not have been where he said he was and questioned the independence of the inquiry, saying Mr Sue's son knew the company that conducted it.

She said she first discovered the discrepancies a few months before Mr Sue died but she did not believe that was the right time to confront him because he was too sick.

Ms Silver took no pleasure in making her concerns public and much of the information contained in the inquiry was as a result of things Mr Sue had told other people, including Mr Harlem and Mr Greenwood.

"There is not a single thing in this report that refutes anything," she said.
http://www.kokodaspirit.com/
http://www.sandakandeathmarch.com.au/

Sandakan Death March

2012-01-24T11:54:00.000+11:00

Sandakan Death March

Our treks across the Sandakan Death March route, faithfully as close as possible follow the original route.

Our treks are based on research from the premier and respected authorities on the Sandakan Death March, Don Wall and Dr Kevin Smith and by Wayne Wetherall an expert trekker and passionate adventurer who along with his Borneo Partner Jerome Robles have uncovered what they believe to be the missing links and lost sections of the “Death March Track” of Sandakan.

Wayne Wetherall, Managing Director of trekking company Kokoda Spirit and Sandakan Spirit has walked the Sandakan Death March Track many times and has been very fortunate to meet a number of the old local people from Borneo and hear first hand and record their experiences of the Sandakan Death Marches.

Our trek and route is based on information from the official Office of War Graves, grave recovery map, information obtained from the National Archives and Australian War Memorial, Department of Army report on Major Jacksons Borneo Mission, Report by Major R.E Steele, WO. W. Wallace and Sgt R.J Kennedy and translations of Japanese war records.

Some of the most compelling intelligence that we have gathered has come from the local people along the track including the Village Chiefs of Taviu, Mankadai and Miruru.

During these investigations we were able to interview a number of first hand witnesses to the Death March route including two local men who were forced to be carriers along the route.

One of our most amazing discoveries was a Javanese man who was conscripted into the Japanese Army as a prisoner guard; his story of the Sandakan Death March is both barbaric and breathtaking.

We avoid using “short cut”,“eco” or alternative tracks that are logistically easier to ensure you see the real Borneo, the real Sandakan Death March Route.

We use a variety of accommodation on our treks including camping next to Rainforest Rivers and staying in traditional Dusun Villages along the way, this gives you a great chance to embrace the traditional culture and mix with the locals and hear firsthand the stories of their forefathers.

One of the most acclaimed authorities on the Sandakan Death March route is Dr Kevin Smith. Kevin is the Author of Borneo- Australia’s Proud but Tragic Heritage and Escapes and Incursions and Stories From Sandakan: 2/18th Battalion.

The other authority on the Sandakan Death March and Sandakan POW camp is WW2 Veteran and POW Don Wall.

Don wrote his first book Kill the Prisoners way back in 1988 and his revised fourth edition in 1995.

Don had the full co-operation during his research of Sandakan Death March survivors Keith Botterill, Owen Campbell and Nelson Short. These in-depth discussions covered all aspects of the events of prisoner of war life in Sandakan.

Don also had full access and permission to use the private records of Lt. Col. H.W.S Jackson, MBE (Ret.) in particular records of the recovery of remains, his first hand knowledge of the people of Borneo, those that witnessed the prisoners on the marches and those who saved the lives of the six survivors.

Do not be mislead in believing that there has only been one book written or authority on Sandakan and the Sandakan Death March.

Dear Wayne

You might find the following comments useful.

It is pleasing to see Wayne Wetherall's trek route taking in the very toughest section of the track that was walked by prisoners of war all those years ago between Sandakan and Ranau.

That is the section that travelled north of the Tovio River near Taviu to Mankadai through the Maitland Ranges and then onto Miru. From Miru the track climbed precipitously to the very high razor-backed ridge of the Maitland Range, and on through Maringan before it descended to Lolosing and onto Tampias.

Prewar, of course, the route from Ranau to Sandakan came down to Tampias as a pony trail, from where the travel was down the Liwagu River by boat into Labuk Bay and around to Sandakan or by boat to Beluran where a foot trail to Sandakan was picked up.

On that Taviu to Tampias section alone, approximately fifty of our Australian prisoners of war perished, their names documented in an Appendix to Lynette Silver's own book.

Most of those fifty were on the first march to Ranau, and died in February 1945.

Most of those who perished on the second march to Ranau are shown in that Appendix as having met their fates on the ECR - the East Coast Residency, which takes in the whole area covered by the march from Sandakan to Ranau. On the Taviu to Tampias section these soldiers died in June 1945. There were British deaths as well on both marches.

Your clients who walk that authentic Miruru (Milulu and Miru also used)-Menkadait, Lolosing track must be proudly yet sadly conscious that they walk in the faltering steps of heroes, men already tragically weakened by their ordeals.. A Japanese officer described the ordeals of that track to Miru: " . . . before Milulu we met a heavy rain and the path along the cliff was washed away everywhere. We fell down and crawled up the cliffs several times."

Nelson Short, one of the four survivors from Ranau, described in interview his own experience of the steep valley sides that they had to traverse. “I went over the top of a cliff. I fell and rolled down and down. I thought I was never going to stop. I had a - - was carrying a little mat with me and I come to rest on this rock and it saved my life. I crawled back up again and got back onto the march with them, but there were some terrible - - the precipices you know, little paths you had to go around, and everything were shocking - - shocking country through there."

Just a day or so later, climbing up the mountain beyond Miru called for unbelievable reserves of strength. In my book I have described that climb in the following terms:

“Clinging to the stems of shrubby bushes and liana vines, getting a good foot grip before hauling themselves up one more step, avoiding the spiny rattans and the evil barbs of one or two other bushes, resting whenever they could against the uphill side of an occasional huge tree trunk, panting and gulping for air, each man fought his own way slowly upwards to the top of the razor-back ridge."

Be proud of your venture, Wayne. In enabling young Australians and others to experience that track you greatly honour the memory of all who passed that way in 1945.

My kind regards to you.

Kevin Smith – Sandakan Death March Author

Borneo- Australia’s Proud but Tragic Heritage

Escapes and Incursions

Stories From Sandakan: 2/18th Battalion

Note from Wayne Wetherall

(Please note the actual Villages of Mankadai, Milulu and Miruru are actual post war Villagers and were not on the actual track or route during the March. The Sandakan Death March Track avoided Villages. The names of the Villages are mentioned to show and describe the general area that the track passed through.)

Sandakan and the Sandakan Death Marches is one of the most tragic Australian stories of World War Two.

The Sandakan Death March is also one of our most heroic.

The POW’s at Sandakan and along the Sandakan Death Marches under the Japanese experienced continual privation, hard labour, brutality, appalling living Conditions and Death.

POW’s were bashed by the guards, suffered from starvation and resultant killer diseases and sometimes murder.

Despite appalling conditions at Sandakan and along the Sandakan Death March route, the prisoners never gave up. Their heroism, their determination and their indomitable spirit are testimony to the strength of the human spirit and an inspiration to all.

Of the 2434 prisoners incarcerated at Sandakan, 1787 were Australian. The remaining 641 were British. The six Australians who escaped from the Sandakan Death March were the sole survivors.

The story of the Sandakan Death Marches and the Sandakan POW camp is a tragedy of massive proportions.

This is not a pleasant story, but a story of unwavering Australian Spirit and stoic courage and mateship beyond all conceivable human limits.

During this time the family and friends of these incarcerated men waited three and a half long years to find out some news about their loved ones taken prisoner by the Japanese.

In 1945 the Australian Army restricted information about the suffering and atrocious conditions of these POWs to protect the feelings of the next-of-kin. For over 30 years this information was suppressed and still 66 years on the information regarding this tragedy was vague or little understood.

What is also not so well known that while there were only six survivors of the three Sandakan Death Marches the inconvenient facts are that of the 2,030 Australian Prisoners sent to Borneo, 218 survived to go home after the war and here was around 90 escapes or attempted escapes from Borneo of which 21 survived to go home.

Over the past two journeys Wayne and Jerome and his team of local Dusun’s, who are direct descendents of the carriers and villagers along the track have meticulously, using the latest in GPS mapping technology and old fashion hard work we were able to faithfully piece together as close as what they believe to be the original route.

Trekking the Sandakan Death March route with us is an experience not just a holiday. We see things as an explorer, historian and adventurer.

When you trek the Sandakan Death March with Sandakan Spirit, you're participating in a personal discovery experience; you are truly living and participating in an historic and monumental Borneo adventure.

After sixty six years, you too can now walk the Sandakan Death March track in the footsteps of the Sandakan Death March heroes.

http://www.kokodaspirit.com/
http://www.sandakandeathmarch.com.au/

Trekkers steal Kokoda Track war relics

2012-01-23T18:14:00.000+11:00

Trekkers steal Kokoda Track war relics
Below is an article that was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday.
Wayne Wetherall, Managing Director of Kokoda Spirit comments below on the article.

While it is possible that some of these Kokoda Track war relics have disapeared or have been stolen from the track, no one can be really sure how much or what relics are missing.

It is imperitive that the Australian and PNG government fast track and audit/survey all historical sites along the track. This audit must also include local village museums and displays.

Until a full audit is done, no one can accurately say, if, what and how many relics are on the Kokoda Track. When this audit is complete we can assess what has disapeared from the track.

The majority of trekkers that walk the Kokoda Track are honest fair dinkum Australians that understand the significance of these relics and the history of the Kokoda Track.

It is also interesting to note that it is not only Australians that walk this track, but trekkers from other nations and lots of PNG locals.

It is unfair to accuse or generalise that Australian trekkers are stealing these priceless war artefacts.

Wayne Wetherall went on to say if people have evidence of some Australian trek operators or trekkers encouraging the trade in war memorabilia or stealing then they should come forward and present the evidence to the relevant authorities.

Below is the SMH article

Rachel Olding
Sydney Morning Herald

January 21, 2012

Living, breathing museum … the Kokoda Track.

PRECIOUS war relics from the Kokoda Track are being stolen by Australian trekkers who are risking their lives and defacing a ''living, breathing museum''.

Trek leaders have seen vast amounts of artefacts disappear from the jungle track where Australian forces defeated the Japanese in World War II.

About a third of relics from a museum in Kokoda is missing and up to half from another in Efogi village, said Jim Drapes, the director of Back Track Adventures.

The managing director of Kokoda Spirit, Wayne Wetherall, noticed three rifles missing from a battle site at Eora Creek.

Guns, shell casings, mini mortars and Japanese helmets have been taken from another site. An entire warplane has disappeared from Popondetta, a nearby town.

Mr Drapes said locals would have no use for the relics and that most would end up on the black market or ''on some trekker's wall or up above his bar''.

Tens of thousands of munitions, grenades, helmets and other memorabilia remain in situ along the track, which is considered unregulated compared with other tourist destinations.

It is not only illegal to take artefacts back to Australia but also dangerous, as many grenades and bullets are still live.

''This is priceless stuff. It's a living, breathing museum, and to think people are taking stuff off the track is dishonouring those diggers and not allowing future generations to have the same experience,'' Mr Wetherall said.

There is no protection for the relics and no legislation to support the Kokoda Track Authority, which oversees it and is jointly funded by the Papua New Guinean and Australian governments.

While the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, which shares responsibility for the track, said the onus to protect relics was on Papua New Guinea, it said Australia would support efforts to build barriers around large relics this year.

Charlie Lynn, a former soldier, NSW MP and founder of Adventure Australia, said: ''It's really laissez-faire over there; anybody can do what they want and get away with it.''

He believed some Australian trek operators were encouraging the trade in war memorabilia.

''The ground is very sacred and we should be preserving it much better than we are.'' Rachel Olding travelled courtesy of Back Track Adventures and the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority.

http://www.kokodaspirit.com/

Sandakan Death March

2012-01-23T17:38:00.000+11:00

Wayne Wetherall, Managing Director of Kokoda Spirit and Sandakan Spirit believes the increasing public awareness of the infamous Sandakan Death March will allow more Australians to understand the horrific ordeal suffered by these Gallant POW's, this ongoing awareness and understanding of this tradgety will ensure that the spirit of these men will never be forgotten.
Wetherall went on to comment that it was great to read the article in the Sydney Morning Herald of the continued involvement of Miltary Historian and Veteran Trekker Lynette Ramsay Silvers association of walking and leading treks across the Sandakan Death March this year with Tham Yau Kong.

It is also interesting that it is possible to pay extra for Lynette Silver to accompany you on a TYK trek.
On the TYK web site the following is written;

NOTE:

Private groups wishing to have Lynette Silver accompany them to provide expert and exclusive historical commentary need to contact TYK to ensure that she is available, and to obtain a quote, before making a firm booking.
Above rates led by Australian historian (Ms Lynette Silver)

Below is the SMH article.

Frequent flyer: Lynette Ramsay Silver

Sydney Morning Herald

January 21, 2012
Veteran trekker ... Lynette Ramsay Silver.

This military historian is a veteran trekker, too.

Q Where do you escort relatives of World War II Australian prisoners of war?

A We follow the progress of soldiers from the moment they left Australia, see where battles took place in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, go to former camp sites and, by coach, follow the progress of the Sandakan Death March in Borneo. We also visit Borneo's Labuan War Cemetery, where thousands of Australian prisoners are buried. But it's not all remembrance - Sabah has fabulous wildlife and we see orang-utans.

Q Do you trek the Sandakan Track every year?

A My colleague Tham Yau Kong and I trek it regularly, escorting travellers on about 100 kilometres of the 240-kilometre death-march track. We pick up the route as it reaches the mountains. There are three mountains to climb, including Mount Kinabalu, streams to cross and sweat to expend in the effort.

Q Where to next?

A To Singapore next month. February 17 is the 70th anniversary of the fall of Singapore.

Q If you could fly anywhere, where would you go for lunch?

A The Greek islands, the remoter ones. If there's still any left. To eat seafood, drink local wine and hang out with the locals.

Q What's in your hand luggage?

A All the paperwork and notes I need and a change of clothes.

Q Greatest indulgence when travelling?

A Having a fabulous massage at the end of the Sandakan trek and a night of luxury in a suite overlooking the South China Sea at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Malaysia's Kota Kinabalu. I have a glass of chilled chardonnay and watch the sun set.

Q Best hotel you've stayed in?

A The Fairmont San Francisco. It has the proportions of a French chateau and is wonderfully grand.

Q Wisest travel advice given to you?

A Don't fly for more than about eight hours at any stretch.

Q Where do you go for holidays?

A Last year we went to Bunga Raya Resort on Pulau Gaya, a reef island off the coast of Kota Kinabalu and part of the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. Recently, we went to Sabah's Danum Valley, stayed at an eco-lodge and saw a large number of pygmy elephants.

Lynette Ramsay Silver and Tham Yau Kong lead several public Sandakan treks in Borneo this year.

Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com/
http://www.sandakandeathmarch.com.au/

2012-01-18T17:18:00.000+11:00

Official Invitation
Recognition seventy years over due

War Memorial Honour for 39th Battalion Kokoda Heroes.

The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Trust has confirmed that the names of all seven missing members of the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion will be added to the National Prisoners of War Memorial located at Ballarat in Victoria in February 2012.

Mayor, Cr Mark Harris and the Trustees of the The Australian Ex- Prisoners of War Memorial, Ballarat, Victoria have extended an official invitation to Kokoda Spirit Managing Director Wayne Wetherall to attend the 8th Anniversary Service for the memorial.

The names of Samuel Victor Templeton, Reginald Tierney, John Molony,Sydney Moffatt, John McGrath, Victor Holness and Harry Bould all from the 39th Battalion will be added to the Honour board.
Horace Savage 2/27 REINFS and Frederick Sforcina from the 27Bde Ord Field names will also
be added. All of these men became POW's.

Guest Speaker at the Ceremony will be Author and Historian Carl Johnson.
Carl will give an informative presentation into the detail investigation and research undertaken that led to these gallant men being honoured.

The mystery surrounding their disappearance and subsequent deaths on the Kokoda Track has been

shrouded in conjecture for nearly 70 years.

The unveiling of their names including Captain Sam Templeton on the memorial and

acknowledgement of their silent deeds has allowed history to be re written and at long last correct a

page of Australia’s heritage.

Their daring story, courage, sacrifice, resilience, integrity and their ultimate death was responsible for

changing the course of Australian History.

Official Japanese Intelligence reports and unpublished Australian war veteran accounts have now

been uncovered, compiled and collaborated by Kokoda Spirit CEO and Adventurer Wayne Wetherall

and Historian and Author Carl Johnson.

Wetherall and Johnsons in-depth research makes it clear as to the final fate of these men, and

illustrates the devastating impact and everlasting consequences that these heroic and proud

Australian P.O.W’s had on the Japanese advance on Port Moresby and Australia.

These men received neither a Victoria Cross, nor a wooden cross – now their names and spirit will be

immortalise forever with this fitting tribute. May they rest in peace.
Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com

Australian Government to investigate Sandakan Death March Route

2012-01-05T15:54:00.000+11:00

Australian Government to investigate Sandakan Death March Route

Wayne Wetherall, Managing Director of Kokoda Spirit and Sandakan Spirit was elated when he was informed that ,the Australian Defence Force (Army) is progressing a determination in regards to the Sandakan Death March. It is understood that the Office of Australian War Graves is the lead agency in the investigation.

Wetherall, went onto say that it is fantastic that an independent audit and investigation is finally being done on the route of the Sandakan Death March Route by the Australian Army.

The correct or most proberable route of the Sandakan Death March has been in question for some time.

Wayne Wetherall and Historian Kevin Smith have being carrying out their own indepth research into the Death March Route and look forward to viewing the Australian Armies investigation.

http://www.sandakandeathmarch.com.au/ Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com

Mt Kilimanjaro

2011-12-20T14:51:00.000+11:00

Kokoda Spirit Managing Director Wayne Wetherall, has just returned from successfully climbing Mt Kilimanjaro again with a group of Kokoda Spirit trekkers.
This is Wetheralls second trip to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, having successfully summited in December 2010.
The Kokoda Spirit group, summitted at 7am on Thursday 15th December via the Machame route.
Kokoda Spirit, organises, specialist trips to Africa, to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
Wayne Wetherall commented that a lot of our Kokoda trekkers were looking for their next adventure and climbing Mt Kilimanjaro was a great challenge.
Kokoda Spirit can also organise wildlife Safaris in Tanzania and Kenya.
Wetherall commented that the the wildlife safaris through the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater areas were spectacular, with an amazing amount of wildlife. To see the big 5 in there natural enviroment is a very powerful and unforgettable experience.
To find out more check out the web site http://www.kilimanjarospirit.com.au/

Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com

2011-12-08T20:42:00.001+11:00

What Happened to Uncle Sam ?

The fate of Captain Samuel Templeton

Officer Commanding ‘B’ Company

Without doubt, one of the 39th Battalion’s most revered senior officers was Captain Samuel Victor Templeton. On joining the Battalion at Darley as a Lieutenant, Templeton was posted to B Company, which later after further promotion he would become its Commanding Officer. He was like many of the original officers of the Battalion a veteran of the First War in which he had served with the Royal Naval Reserve as a junior gunnery officer with the Adriatic Squadron during 1918-19. Aside this service he had also been involved in the Irish Rebellion of 1917 and after the First War experienced action during the Spanish Civil War as a member of the International Brigade, a band of volunteers from all nationalities who had made their own passage to Spain to fight the Communists.

He gave his age when joining the Australian Army in 1940 as thirty-nine, this was a common ploy by those who were over age for active service during the Second War. The age requirement for enlistment stipulated one had to be thirty-nine or under to gain entry, hence the term of the day ‘Thirty-Nine Liars” as many First War Veterans in their Forties or at times older reduced their true age to fulfill the requirements to join up. He was actually well into his Forties at the time of his attestation, having been born on the 12th of April, 1900 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Sam immigrated to Australia in the 1920’s where he gained employment with the Victorian Railways, later leaving this to become Manager of Corns Pastry-cooks. In 1931 he joined the 5th Battalion, the Victorian Scottish Regiment with whom he gained his Commission on the 25th October 1939. On his enlistment he was a married man, with one son residing in East Brighton, a bayside suburb of Melbourne.

After training at Darley he along with the rest of the Battalion sailed aboard the ‘Aquitania” bound for Port Moresby. Whilst on board, Lieutenant Templeton was one of those officers of the Battalion who volunteered to assist in instructing personnel in Gunnery Training, drawing from his experiences with the Royal Navy during the previous War, as the ship had no trained crew to man its armourerments defense.

After arrival in Moresby he like the rest of his comrades suffered the daily gruel of life in the tropics. Over the next months the Battalion gradually lost its more senior aged members as once at their action station the realities of service in such conditions took its toll on the First War veterans in the ranks. Many were either sent to non-combatant units or sent back to Australia marked as ‘B’ Class. Templeton was one of the few that remained. He gained his Captaincy and was made Commanding Officer of B Company.

All those who have been interviewed over the years who served under him speak highly of his professionalism and soldering qualities. He was a strict disciplinarian but as well was very fatherly to those under his command. By the time B Company had been earmarked to be the first of the Battalion to go over the mountains to face the Japanese Army he had gained from all under his command, from Privates to the Commissioned ranks, their total respect and loyalty.

During the seven-day hike across the Owen Stanley’s Captain Templeton had made himself an inspiration to his men, who in the majority were half his age. Some of those of B Company recall how he would go up and down the line of men as they toiled under their equipment, encouraging them as they went, helping others who were finding the going tough by carrying their rifles to give them momentary relief.

Jack Wilkinson, who was amongst those of the first Company to cross the mountains noted in his diary. 7/7/42, “Made Iorabaiwa. Had carriers for our packs and just as well. Felt the trip more then the first day. Two long hills to climb. Missed out on tea as I was with last of the troops. Had a job to get some of them to make it. ‘Uncle Sam’ came back and helped me about half way up the last hill. Was carrying four rifles and three packs and had doubts about making it myself. ‘Uncle Sam’ insisted on carrying all my gear as well as that of others”. Another member of B Company recalled seeing Sam at one time during the trek with at least four rifles over his shoulders. It was thought by some of those under his command, that given the fact he was continually going from front to rear of the column to keep the men going that he did the journey twice as many times as the rest of the Company. After seven days B Company arrived at its destination, Kokoda.

After arrival at Kokoda Captain Templeton set off for Buna to make sure that the Company’s stores and heavy equipment had arrived safely. Prior to the Company’s departure for Kokoda an advanced party had boarded the schooner “Gili Gili' under the supervision of B Company’s Quarter Master Sergeant Allan Collyer. After his return to Kokoda the sounds of battle could be heard coming from the North. The Japanese had started their invasion of New Guinea by accomplishing landings at Buna and further around the coast at Gona and Sananada.

Templeton sent out his 11 Platoon under Lieutenant Mortimore forward, 12 Platoon under Lieutenant Seekamp was to follow and 10 Platoon under Lieutenant Garland were ordered to remain at Kokoda to defend the small air strip which was needed to allow reinforcements to be landed.

Lieutenant Seekamp’s 11 Platoon had been posted to hold the village of Awala, whilst 12 Platoon were ordered to protect the track between Awala and Kokoda near the village of Gorari. The Battalion’s Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Bill Owen arrived by plane at Kokoda where Captain Templeton was waiting to meet him. After the CO’s arrival both officers then headed off to join the two advanced Platoons of B Company. Meanwhile these Platoons had been engaged in rear guard actions, aside a successful ambush which Seekamp’s men had laid on the unsuspecting Japanese at Awala. By the time Templeton and Owen turned up 11 Platoon had fallen back on the village of Gorari. Reinforcements had been requested and these were expected at any moment. Owen before leaving to return to Kokoda to meet these ordered the advanced Platoon’s of B Company to make a stand 800 yards East of Gorari. After dispersing his men Owen left to meet the reinforcements.

After his departure the ambush of advancing Japanese at Gorari was effected. However given the overwhelming force of Japanese which were almost about to over whelm the 39th’s positions these two Platoons had to be withdrawn to a new defensive position. The two Platoons broke contact and fell back on the little village of Oivi, to await what was hoped to be at least one fresh Company of the 39th to reinforce the depleted ranks of B Company. Instead of a Company the plane which arrived at Kokoda carried only half of one Platoon of D Company, this was 16 Platoon under Lieutenant McLean. Owen quickly ordered these to go forward to join 11 and 12 Platoon, which were now holding grimly onto their positions at Oivi. The Japanese made the first of their assaults on the 39’s men at Oivi in the mid afternoon just after Lieutenant McLean’s men had arrived and been dispersed. It was believed that the other half of 16 Platoon had already been landed at Kokoda and it was with the aim of meeting up with these that Captain Templeton left the defensive position at Oivi to guide in the rest of 16 Platoon under Sergeant Morrison.

He left his Second in Command Captain Stevenson as well Major Watson (the Commanding Officer of the P.I.B) to take control of the three Platoons in his absence and set out alone to meet the rest of 16 Platoon.

which he believed were about to arrive at any moment.

It has been mentioned in several books that within moments of Captain Templeton leaving that ‘a burst of fire’ was heard from the direction he had gone and that that was the last that wa ever seen of him. However its been discovered that this burst of fire was a single pistol shot probably fired by Templeton himself. Sergeant Martorana of 12 Platoon recalled that at the time it was heard he had just approached Major Watson to ask where Templeton had gone. On being told he had gone to bring in the rest of 16 Platoon he remarked that “that doesn’t sound like Sam”, at least two other members of B Company as well heard the single pistol shot and felt certain that Captain Templeton had walked straight into a group of Japanese along the track and that he must of fired on them. They did not hear any return rifle fire, and assumed he had been captured. A member of B Company who went out after Captain Templeton and followed him a short distance was ordered by Templeton to return to the position as he wanted no escort. Within moments of this man doing as ordered he heard the single shot and then heard the Japanese calling out ‘Corporal White”. Sergeant Martorana as soon as he heard the shot believed his Captain was in trouble and asked their guide Sonopa, along with Privates Evans and Luxmoore to come with him to see if they could find Captain Templeton. After getting near to the spot where the single shot had come from Sonopa halted them saying he “could smell them”. Within moments of the four dispersing to the side of the track they could see large groups of Japanese advancing towards them. Without hope of out gunning these Sergeant Martorana ordered all to return to Oivi. This they did and made it safely back unmolested.

Captain Templeton’s body was never located. The Japanese advanced on masse, and the defensive perimeter of the 39th which was threatened with being outflanked was hastily withdrawn to fall back on the Kokoda Plantation where it engaged the Japanese in the first real Battle of Kokoda.

Head Quarters Southern Command received news of the disappearance and probable death of Captain Templeton. An official Telegram was sent to his wife Doris at East Brighton and later followed his personal effects, which had been left at Kokoda prior to his last actions at Gorari and Oivi. For a time his Army file was closed. The search for his body had been officially abandoned and his official fate was amended to read Missing in Action 27th July 1942 and for Official purposed Presumed Killed in Action.

During the later campaigns in the North of Papua an amount of Japanese Intelligence Reports were captured, these included references to the Yokyama Advanced Force’s operations during August at Kokoda. One of these summaries caused the fate of Captain Templeton to be re-examined and a new investigation to be started.

When one of these captured reports was translated it read in part:-

‘Yokayama advanced groups entered battle with 39 Aust Bn led by Capt. Templeton. 2 Prisoners. One of them was Capt. Templeton, 5 more Prisoners.

This report was received by Queensland L of C Area Records Office in February 1943. As well as this report another Japanese Intelligence Report was entitled ‘Enemy Terrain Situation”, and included details which had been taken during the interrogation of a captured Australian Captain taken prisoner in the Kokoda area . This information included the number of Australians, which confronted the Japanese advance, and in part read ‘that a battalion of about 1000 men, commanded by a Colonel had arrived in that area some 10 days before. In addition there were believed to be 500 to 600 Papua New Guinea troops with European Officers along the Mambare River”

There is no doubt that the captured officer was Templeton and it would be assumed that after his capture he endeavored to bluff his captors into believing that the strength of the Australian force in the Kokoda area was vastly larger then it was. It was his last effort to delay the Japanese from totally overwhelming the 39th’s positions at Kokoda. He had given them a totally false estimate, which was some ten times the amount that there really was and by doing so forced the Japanese to re evaluate their position. Effectively buying his comrades some little time to regroup and be reinforced. This was a brave move on his behalf as he was totally on his own and had little if any chance of making good an escape but did what ever he could to assist those of his men and fellow officers who were still defending the Kokoda area against largely superior force.

It has been assumed that after his capture the Japanese dispensed with him after gathering all the useful information his captors felt they would obtain. There are certainly several instances when the Japanese executed their prisoners soon after interrogation. How ever there was one more sighting of him shortly after this period. When the 39th Battalion Association returned to New Guinea for one of they’re first pilgrimages to the former battle ground in 1967. A local villager who had lived in the area during the campaign of 1942 approached one of its members. The villager spoke of an Australian Captain who was a prisoner and was in a cage on his own at Oro Bay on the coast. It was presumed that the captive was waiting to be transported to Rabaul which was then an advanced operational Base for the Japanese and it is certain that other captured officers from the New Guinea area had been taken back there over 1942. There is no captured Japanese documents to prove or disprove this but it must be remembered that captured officers were of great interest to Japanese Intelligence. It is unlikely that an officer would be so quickly done away with if there was any chance of securing more information which would assist the Japanese at a later date. It would be more likely that the first interrogation, which he was submitted to was to gather information about the immediate area and the Australians that confronted them and that he was possibly taken back for transportation to Rabaul for more thorough interrogation after this. He however definitely did not survive captivity and his official date of death to this day is still unknown.

Army Records kept his file open and marked it Missing in Action and Believed Prisoner of War until July 1945, where it was amended to read Believed Deceased on or after the 27th July 1942.

Captain Templeton faced his captivity as he commanded his Company, with great resilience and placing the welfare of his men and fellow officers in front of his own, right to the end. He no doubtly assisted the rest of those of his comrades at Kokoda by slowing down the Japanese, by making them more cautious of what lay ahead of them at Kokoda. This in its self may have saved the lives of many of those still defending Kokoda as had the Japanese advanced swiftly and with the knowledge that only a mere hundred or more Australians were before them then it is quite definite that the two thousand or more Japanese would have had a swift victory.

What of the other Prisoners whom the Japanese had claimed to have captured ? The soldier, which is reported to have been captured at the time Captain Templeton was taken Prisoner, is more then likely Private Sydney Moffatt who disappeared the night prior to Templeton being taken. He had been sent out as a runner from the advanced Platoons, to report back to Kokoda during the action at Gorari and of whom no trace was ever found. For the other five, of whom all are undoubtedly B Company men, there is two explanations. After Templeton went missing it is said a small patrol was sent out to locate him, these again were never seen again. Although this may be confused with Sergeant Martorana’s small group who went out after him and were forced back. The second theory is that when the beleaguered Platoons at Oivi extracted themselves to regroup at Kokoda that maybe some did not get the message to break contact. This was a belief that Sergeant Martorana held when he was interviewed some sixty years after the battle. The order to withdraw had been passed around from man to man, but he believed that a few may never of got the message and were thus left behind in the confusion.

Close examination of the Battalion’s Nominal Roll reveals that eight of B Company were missing believed dead, and who have no known graves. At least one of these (Private David Preistley) can be discounted completely as he was believed to have been blown clear over the escarpment at Kokoda when his weapon pit received a direct hit. What is known is that the Japanese have made no mention of them by name and having already captured a senior officer would have had little use for those Private soldiers who fell into their hands. An advancing army, fighting in such a terrain, has little resources for prisoners, and it must be presumed that these members of B Company were put to death soon after capture, maybe in the site of Captain Templeton in an attempt to extract the information which they knew he must have had knowledge of.

These men all lived to the high ideals of their country and died in its defense. They faced their foe with staunch courage and it can only be hoped what ever their end transpired to be, that such was swift and merciful.

This article on Captain Sam Templeton has been reproduced with the full permission of the author Carl Johnson from the original text of Mud over blood .
For any comments or feedback please contact Wayne Wetherall at Kokoda Spirit.

Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com

2011-12-08T17:43:00.001+11:00

Wayne Wetherall

Adventurer, Businessman, Founder and Owner of Life Changing Adventure Companies, Passionate Australian

Wayne Wetherall is the owner of Kokoda Spirit which is Australia and PNG’s most respected and professional company trekking the Kokoda Track.

Formed in 2004, Kokoda Spirit specialises in organising and leading Defence Force groups, school groups, sporting teams, corporate groups and individuals across the famous and iconic Kokoda Track, having already escorted over 4000 trekkers.

Wayne Wetherall works with a number of leadership programs including the Indigenous Youth Leadership program, MASP and the Kokoda Challenge Youth Program (KCYP) to help young Australians aged between 15 and 18 who require an opportunity to reach their full potential. Each year Kokoda Spirit takes a group of young Australian Leaders across the track as part of the program.

Wayne Wetherall has also been involved in uncovering the missing links of the Sandakan Death March track, which is described as Australia’s worst Military Tragedy of WW2.

The Office of Australian War Graves has now organised an independent investigation and review of the Sandakan Death March Track and we now await their determination and notification.

The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Trust has confirmed that the names of all seven missing members of the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion will be added to the National Prisoners of War Memorial located at Ballarat in Victoria in February 2012.

The mystery surrounding their disappearance and subsequent deaths on the Kokoda Track has been shrouded in conjecture for nearly 70 years.

The unveiling of their names including Captain Sam Templeton on the memorial and

acknowledgement of their silent deeds has allowed history to be re written and at long last correct a page of Australia’s heritage.

Their daring story, courage, sacrifice, resilience, integrity and their ultimate death was responsible for changing the course of Australian History.

Official Japanese Intelligence reports and unpublished Australian war veteran accounts have now been uncovered, compiled and collaborated by Kokoda Spirit CEO and Adventurer Wayne Wetherall and Historian and Author Carl Johnson.

Just some of Wetherall’s adventure highlights have included 46 crossings of the Kokoda Track, including the first Coast to Coast crossing by bike and foot, the completion of 6 summits of SE Asia’s highest Mountain Mt Kinabalu, Mt Kilimanjaro in Africa and an eight day, 1600km bike ride from Brisbane to Townsville.

Wetherall has a drive, commitment and passion to make a difference. His companies not only delivers life changing adventures, including historic and cultural treks, but also specialises in empowering people with emphasis on developing people to achieve their goals and dreams.

Wayne Wetherall is currently the owner and Managing Director of Adventure companies, Kokoda Spirit and Wild Spirit Adventures.

Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com

2011-12-08T17:02:00.001+11:00

‘Kokoda’s Lost Legend’

Wayne Wetherall- Carl Johnson

For nearly seventy years a veil of mystery and controversy has surrounded those first contacts between the advancing Japanese army and is first clash’s with the previously un-tested militiamen of the 39^thInfantry Battalion. At the centremost of these mysteries from the Owen Stanleys campaign is the fate of Captain Samuel Templeton (‘Uncle Sam’), who would be initially reported missing in action believed killed in action and then later updated at war’s ,as probably having died whilst a prisoner of war, on an unknown date and at unknown location.

A collaboration between military historian and author; Carl Johnson (‘Little Hell’, ‘Mud Over Blood’ etc), and Wayne Wetherall, Owner and Managing Director of ‘Kokoda Spirit’ and a passionate researcher of the Track’s heritage, will finally see these questions amongst many other revelations in regards these initial actions between the Australian and Japanese forces in the opening days of what are now known as ‘The Battles that Saved Australia’.
The real story of Captain Templeton and those other members of his battalion has been long overdue in being told, and because of this, the actual deeds of these seven Australians, and the very real part that these men played in delaying an all-out overland siege by the Japanese on Port Moresby itself, for even in captivity they would serve in their Nation’s defence, and in such a way which would have everlasting consequences to the Japanese advance, which at that point had seemed invincible.
These seven men have the unlikely distinction of being the first group of Australian service personnel from an actual 2^nd AIF or AMF formation to be in the first battles in Papua New Guinea from July 1942 onwards, and from those initial actions to become P.O.W’s, they have as well the distinction of being the longest surviving group of any documented prisoners captured in these campaigns, - to this the deeds of Captain Samuel Templeton have become enshrine in the Imperial Japanese Army’s own official history! The ongoing bluffing this officer would do under constant interrogations, the misinformation he would pass his interrogators, and then his final and open contempt for his enemy in the face of his own certain death would even see him being recalled with incredulous respect by those of his enemy whom were in his presence whilst ‘Uncle Sam’ was a captive. This respect for a former enemy officer still lives on even in Japan today.

The research of Carl and Wayne will reveal the full extent of the greatness of Templeton’s tenacity, his leadership of those he commanded (both in battle and as P.O.W.), and the price he was willing to pay to protect both Papua New Guinea and ultimately Australia.

The story of these seven men can now be told by that that served with them, fought with them, and is even further told by those that captured them in battle and guarded them in during their captivity. Official Japanese Intelligence and other primary resources which have been located both here in Australia and from Japan and which makes it clear as to the final fate of these men, and as well illustrates the impact that these P.O.W’s would have on their enemy’s advance. For in fact these men did more damage to the Japanese advance on Moresby then any unit in the field could have hoped to have achieve in a series of battles, as which would have been the case had these seven not continue to serve their country even though they themselves were now hostages to freedom.

These men received neither a Victoria Cross, nor a wooden cross – their final resting places as is the case of their untold story, has again been shrouded in a mist of conjecture. Amongst the new material unearthed by this collaboration are also answers to these long outstanding questions.

The names of all seven members of the 39^thAustralian Infantry Battalion will be added to the National Prisoners of War Memorial located at Ballarat in Victoria in February 2012. That panel of names being unveiled in memory of Captain Templeton and those other six members of his Battalion, has come to fruition due to the information amongst the new material and is the first physical step to having these men’s story perpetuated in this Nation’s consciousness, as is the story of the ANZAC’s of Gallipoli – this pending publication as now in the process between Carl and Wayne will be another step towards sharing the service, sacrifices and legacies of these men with a much wider and diverse audience.

The story telling of the Kokoda Track and especially those first actions, which to date are still only partly understood, will after this publication’s release be shown in their correct context and thus avail the history books a better understanding of just how close Australia could have come to an all-out invasion without the silent deeds of men such as ‘Uncle Sam’.

Carl Johnson is the author of eight publications dealing with ADF and RSL heritage, ranging from the Boer War to the Second War. Aside these titles, Carl has assisted various historians and scholars, both in Australia and the USA with yet another nearly two dozen publications dealing with Australia’s military heritage during the 20^thCentury.

Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com

2011-12-01T18:46:00.001+11:00

Kokoda Spirit Reunion.

Kokoda Spirit is very excited to announce that their Kokoda trekker’s reunion will be held on the Sunshine Coast on the 3rd March 2012.
Our special guest for the evening will be 5 time Paralympian and Australian Adventurer Michael Milton.
We will also have some of our famous Kokoda Spirit porters joining us on the evening to sing there haunting gospel songs and there joyous and mesmerising track ballads.
Come and join us on this magical evening as we celebrate the inspirational journey of our trekkers across this powerful and inspirational track.
To find out more or register your interests contact our office.

Visit http://www.kokodaspirit.com

2011-12-01T18:25:00.001+11:00

Captain Sam Templeton

Kokoda Heroes, Recognition seventy years over due.

War Memorial Honour for 39th Battalion Kokoda Heroes.

The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Trust has confirmed that the names of all seven missing members of the 39th Australian Infantry Battalion will be added to the National Prisoners of War Memorial located at Ballarat in Victoria in February 2012.
The mystery surrounding their disappearance and subsequent deaths on the Kokoda Track has been shrouded in conjecture for nearly 70 years.
The unveiling of their names including Captain Sam Templeton on the memorial and
acknowledgement of their silent deeds has allowed history to be re written and at long last correct a page of Australia’s heritage.
Their daring story, courage, sacrifice, resilience, integrity and their ultimate death was responsible for changing the course of Australian History.
Official Japanese Intelligence reports and unpublished Australian war veteran accounts have now been uncovered, compiled and collaborated by Kokoda Spirit CEO and Adventurer Wayne Wetherall and Historian and Author Carl Johnson.
Wetherall and Johnsons in-depth research makes it clear as to the final fate of these men, and
illustrates the devastating impact and everlasting consequences that these heroic and proud
Australian P.O.W’s had on the Japanese advance on Port Moresby and Australia.
These men received neither a Victoria Cross, nor a wooden cross – now their names and spirit will be immortalise forever with this fitting tribute. May they rest in peace.

For all Media Enquires and interviews
Contact Monique Geaney
monqiue @collectivleyspeaking.com.au
http://www.kokodaspirit.com/

2011-12-01T18:17:00.001+11:00

Christmas Special

*Book an Australian led Kokoda Spirit Trek in December and receive absolutely
FREE a ‘Camping Gear Package worth over *$900.00!
(*rrp at Anaconda $926)*Conditions Apply
Camping package includes the following;
Large 75 litre backpack, day pack, tent, groundsheet, self inflating mattress, sleeping bag, headlight torch, walking pole, dry sack, Kokoda Spirit, cap, stubby holder and drink bottle.

*Offer only available 5 December 2011 until close of business 22 December 2011 – Deposit must be paid by 22December 2011.Your free camping gear package will be sent to you upon receipted full payment of your trek– Trek to be taken in 2012 trekking season – Gear package Not applicable with any other Kokoda Spirit offers - Not applicable to Travel Agent bookings – Our Kokoda Spirit Booking Terms apply.
http://www.kokodaspirit.com/