Letters - LF members & Friends
"Lark Force" Commemoration at the Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance, 20.1.2008.
Maxwell R. Hayes
On a threateningly overcast day, the few remaining members of the "Lark" force association gathered with friends and others to commemorate the loss of life which occurred in Rabaul on the fall to the Japanese on 23.1.1942. Of the original force of 1400 young soldiers sent in 1941 to assist with the defence of Rabaul, only 28 remain alive today. Most of the "Lark" force were captured and their fate remains shrouded to this day, though it is known that many were on the ill-fated "Montevideo Maru" carrying p.o.w. to Hainan and sunk on 1.7.1942; some 160 were butchered by their captors at Tol plantation in February 1942; others perished in the jungle, and a handful managed to escape by criss-crossing the Gazelle peninsula until rescued. Of the 28 alive, 10 are in Victoria and only two were well enough to be present at today's commemoration.
This Sunday, being the nearest to the date Rabaul fell, about 90 persons gathered at the forecourt of the Shrine and at 2.30 led by a Shrine custodian carrying the association banner at the head the Melbourne Staff Band of the Salvation Army, marched to the steps of the Shrine. This band's attendance was to honour the memory of the Salvation Army band which was attached to "Lark" force.
Of their number of .... only one as not taken prisoner and the remainder perished. The band played a number composed by , and in memory of, the ill-fated band's composer, Arthur Gulledge.
The group then marched to the interior of the Shrine where Norman Furness, secretary of the "Lark" Force Association delivered an address detailing events of 1941 and 1942, wreaths were laid, the "Last Post" was sounded and both anthems played following which afternoon tea was served in the Shrine crypt.
It is important to note that the massacre at Tol plantation will not be forgotten to future generations. To ensure that this tragedy becomes widely known to Australians, Kori Chan of Rabaul, has for some months been undertaking feasilibity studies to promote a trek from Rabaul to Tol plantation, in the manner of trekking the Kokoda Track. Plans are well under way to commence this venture within 3-4 months. Kori flew from Rabaul to be present at today's commemoration. The event was covered by an ABC TV team and should be screened on ABC TV "Compass" program in April.
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MY THOUGHTS - NEW BRITAIN, NEW IRELAND, HANOVER ISLAND, WATOM ISLAND AND SURROUNDING ISLANDS IN THE MANDATED TERRITORY OF NEW GUINEA (DECEMBER 1941)
At this time of year my thoughts go back to many years ago, Rabaul, New Britain, Kavieng, New Ireland and Surrounding Islands, The Mandated Territory of New Guinea 1941.
I wonder what my Parents and other Parents, Wife's, Husbands, Mothers, Fathers and Children talked about just days before they were separated, I think about the Ship's pulling out from the wharf at Rabaul, New Britain, The Mandated Territory Of New Guinea now Papua New Guinea, with the Women and children on the Ships and the Men on the Wharf Singing "Land Of Hope And Glory" on 22 December 1941, what a horrible Christmas they must have had.
Mr Coote Manager of the Burns Philip stores, open up the store and put all the toys on board the ships for the children.
I think about the last two DC3's that took the last of the Women and Children out on the 28 December 1941, My Mother, Brother 12 years and I almost 9 months was on the last Aircraft.
That day My Brother lost his childhood. What went through the minds of all the single Men, who's Love Ones were far away?
The Wives, Mothers and Sisters who not only left behind there Husbands, their Sons, Boys of 16 Years and older, Son-In-Laws, Brothers Fathers and Uncles.
I wonder if they new that almost every Man would die a terrible Death at the hands of the Japanese in the months and years that followed, My Father included.
My Thoughts also go out to The Men and Their Families of the 2/22nd, Salvation Army Band attached to the 2/22nd, Lark Force, RAAF, RAN and Other Service Men who said Goodbye to their Love Ones months before in some cases Years before in Australia.
What was their thoughts as all the Women and Children were evacuated and they were left behind with all the Men of the Islands; Men who knew the Islands but some were too old to fight, between the ages of 50 years to 85 years or more.
My thoughts go out to the Chinese Community and the New Guinean's who were left behind, and did not have the opportunity to get their Wives, Children, Mothers, Grandmothers and Sisters away and suffered greatly at the hands of the Japanese.
My heart goes out to all The Family's of Service Men and Women who are separated from their love ones at this time of year and I pray that there will not be another war.
God Bless Papua New Guinea, Australia
And All Allied Countries
C. Scmhidt (December 2001)
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My brother, R. Ditterich, has passed on your email regarding the tv program tomorrow. I will be watching with great interest as we lost two Uncles at Rabaul. I have followed the many stories published with interest and delved into the internet myself and am thrilled that these poor men will have some recognition after the terrible episodes at Rabaul. I've attended the Lark Force marches and know that each year there are very few men alive now, but your dream will keep their memory going forward.
Kind regards,
E. Fraser
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Dear Kori
That is fabulous news for Christmas - Norm Furness also rang us last night to let us know it is on. He also mentioned that the ABC will be at the Shrine service in January. I guess thinking ahead to then is there a follow up flyer on the track that could be put together and handed out then?
Looks like I'll be spending my Christmas holidays doing some work on the Lost Lives website!
J. Evans - Lost Lives
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Sir,
Enquiring about your news release re lark force new britain ww2 on the 21st december.
Our father was one of the soldiers captured, tortured and killed by the japs and we have never ever been notified of the true happenings. The only report my mother got from our government was a telegram dated mid january 1946 notifing family that he was presumed dead.
Now we would like to know if you have any more on the tragic deaths of so many young ill trained,ill equipped and under strength men against an armada of up to 17 thousand enemy sincerely hoping the army has given you the truth
G. A Hill - son of VX 32136 Gunner A. Denny Hill
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Greetings,
Thank you so very much for your E-Mail. I am so very happy that All our Missing Men will be remembered, it is wonderful to open up this area, thank you.
Rabaul is my home town, I was evacuated with my Mother and Brother Ron 12 years on the 28 December 1941 and returned in 1946 and left in december 1953 to go to college.
Malaguna Technical School at Malaguna, Rabaul, was my very first home in 1941. My Father Ardie (Adolf) Schmidt went to the school as a teacher in 1924. In 1927 Ardie was appointed Head Master and Director of New Guinea Education, he trained the New Guineans as teachers to go back into the Villages and open up School.
My Father was in the NGVR and was executed April 1944. My childhood stories were all the atrocities of what happened on the Islands of New Britain, New Ireland and Surrounding Island in The Mandated Territory of New Guinea.
"Masta nogat go bolong sip, Masta di bolong ailan"
I was back in Rabaul with my youngest daughter Charmaine March - April this year. To me Rabaul was like a war zone the way it was in 1946 when I arrive back after WW ll with my Mother except there is no Chinatown, Allied Service Men or Japanese POW's.
Thank you for caring,
Best Wishes,
C. Schmidt
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Al and Kori,
I am the son of Peter Figgis formerly the Senior Intelligence Officer for Lark Force and a New Britain Coastwatcher.
I read the article on Al in the North Shore Times with great interest.
I am very pleased that you are going to institute a program of walks out of Rabaul to commemorate the escape from Rabaul in 1941 which of course involved my father (and indeed my late godfather Hugh Mckenzie).
I attach an article that I wrote earlier in the year about Dad's experiences in New Britain during the War.It was published in the 2/4 Battalion magazine Barrage under the title 'The Man who returned to Hell.'
Even right up to the last few months I have been responding to questions on Dad's behalf from relatives of men murdered at Tol Plantation.
I would be interested in walking the tracks myself and helping out as a volunteer.I will track developments on your website.
All the best. Keep up the great work.
H. Figgis
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Dear Alan,
I couldn’t let the article on you in the North Shore Times – Friday, December 7, 2007, regarding your brilliant initiative in the creation of the Lark Force Wilderness Track, go by, without letting you know how fantastic I think the whole idea is.
I only wish my Dad, Rowan’s Grandfather was still here to read about it. My Dad was in the RAAF during the war and I remember him telling me about Rabaul and Port Moresby, when I was a child. He flew between Balikpapan, New Britain and Darwin, and I know he would have been very pleased to know that one of Rowan’s school mates is taking such a wonderful initiative, in making sure the World War II wartime history of that region is preserved. Well done and I hope you have great success with your plans.
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a Joyful New Year.
With all my good wishes for a very successful future.
H. Muir
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Dear Alan,
I am particularly interested given my father's experience. I think I may have mentioned to you in passing of my family's Rabaul connection.
My father Jack was a member of the 2/22 stationed at Rabaul at the time of the Japanese assault. Like most of those who survived the initial onslaught, he went south following the order "every man for himself". He was rounded up and managed to escape.
Together with his mate Russell Law, after whom my elder brother Russell was named, headed north east and linked up with the coastal watcher McCarthy who had commandeered a boat and they eventually made it to Cairns aided by a schoolboy atlas.
Jack and his crew mates were promptly arrested as they had no identification or much else except an unbelievable story. Following his adventure, Jack spent many months in Concord Hospital where he met my mother who was a commissioned nursing sister.
Jack was a good swimmer and ended the war teaching soldiers to swim at Clifton Gardens.
Jack went back to Rabaul with my brother shortly before my father's death in 1992 and before the last eruption. Unfortunately I could not go as my daughter's birth was imminent.
Jack was able show brother Russell the various sites that the battalion occupied including the machine gun nest where Jack was at the time of the assault.
As you may know the 2/22 originated out of Victoria and were pretty much decimated. Following the war a small group of them found themselves in Sydney and formed a local branch of the Lark Force Association.
There are a few originals left, including one 2/22 member Mick Smith, who together with some family members march on ANZAC day.
After the march my brother and I put on a few beers for them at Tattersalls Club in Elizabeth Street.
If your rugby and other commitments allow, it would be great if you could join us for an hour or so to meet Mick and some of the descendants of other Lark Force members. There are some wonderful stories.
B. Debney
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Kori,
I am writing to you in response to information that was forwarded to me from Joanne Evans, with regards to your tour operator service in Rabaul. In particular I am interested in the resurrection of the track leading from Rabaul to Tol Plantation and the project you are undertaking.
Jack Render (Choco Jack) was my grandfather who was killed as the result of the sinking of Montevideo Maru.
A. Hardeman
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Hi Kori,
I'm writing about your plan for a track of the escape routes for the Lark Force and 2/22nd Batallion. Two of my uncles served in Rabaul. One was killed in the invasion and the other was captured after a month in the jungle, trying to escape. He died on the Montevideo Maru. He was actually captured at a place called Gavit. I have written a book about their experiences. Good luck in your efforts, perhaps I can be of some use.
Regards,
R. Ditterich
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Hi Kori,
I just came back from attending the annual 2/22 Battalion reunion at Trawool, with my mother and other family members. My Mum's father was in Rabaul and was one those who did not escape, but died on the Montevideo Maru. Norm Furness gave us a copy of the information you wrote about the plans for the Rabaul Track, which sound very worthwhile and interesting. I have read and heard quite a bit about Rabaul, and to visit the place would be another experience. Best wishes in your venture, and please add me to your mailing list. I understand you will be in Melbourne in late August, so maybe we will be able to organise further contact.
T. Ganly
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Dear Alan,
I couldn’t let the article on you in the North Shore Times – Friday, December 7, 2007, regarding your brilliant initiative in the creation of the Lark Force Wilderness Track, go by, without letting you know how fantastic I think the whole idea is.
I only wish my Dad, Rowan’s Grandfather was still here to read about it. My Dad was in the RAAF during the war and I remember him telling me about Rabaul and Port Moresby, when I was a child. He flew between Balikpapan, New Britain and Darwin, and I know he would have been very pleased to know that one of Rowan’s school mates is taking such a wonderful initiative, in making sure the World War II wartime history of that region is preserved. Well done and I hope you have great success with your plans.
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and a Joyful New Year.
With all my good wishes for a very successful future.
H. Muir
