Kokoda Historical is proud to be assisting the 39^th Battalion with helping to take two young students across the Kokoda Track. The 39^th Battalion Association last year invited students from across the Cardinia Shire in Victoria, to submit an essay outlining what Kokoda means to Australians.

With sponsorship coming from the Cardinia Shire Council, Pakenham and Parklea Racing Club and Kokoda Historical the 2009 winners will be off to experience the adventure and history of the Kokoda Track.

Harry Bould who grew up in the township of Cardinia died in Kokoda Village eight days after the Japanese landed on the North Coast of New Guinea on the 29^th of July 1942. His remains have never been found. Mrs Masie Darlow who is the last living relative of Harry Bould hopes that the essay competition will not only honour the memory of her brother but will also honour the many Australian soldiers that also lost their lives in the Kokoda Campaign.


                   V37378 Pte Harry Bould

39^th Battalion Association President Mr Alan Jameson stated that the quality of the essays submitted made choosing the winner a difficult decision. In fact it was so close that the award was given to two students, Lauren Harrison and Liam Trigg.

Both Lauren and Liam are very excited about their upcoming trip which will take place in the June/July school holiday period later on this year.


(Left to Right) Liam Trigg, Pakenham RSL President Mr Norm Joseph, 39th Battalion Veterans Alan 'Kanga' Moore, Jack Duffy & Ted Stuart and Lauren Harrison.

There are still places left on this trek, so if you are thinking about making the pilgrimage over one of the most important battlefields in Australian history then now may just be the time to go!

To find out the dates of the Harry Bould Memorial/School Holiday Tour please go to:

 http://www.kokodahistorical.com.au/index.php?/Trek-Dates.html

WHAT HAPPENED TO UNCLE SAM?

Captain Sam Templeton V50190

You may of heard the name Sam Templeton in the media of late. Sam Templeton is listed as one of the missing in action of the 39th Battalion and is an important figure in the Kokoda story. Recently the Japanese veteran Kokichi Nishimura (AKAThe Bone Man of Kokoda) returned to PNG where he has been reported to of stated that he personally buried the body of Captain Sam Templeton near the village of Oivi, located north of Kokoda and has now revealed this location to Wayne Weatherall of Kokoda Spirit. Investigations are continuing and it has not been released if any human remains have been found at the site. If this new information is correct one must wonder why has Nishimura waited all these years before telling anyone? It may be possible that Nishimura is party to a war crime? The Japanese during WWII and prior, committed many atrocities. These are the same Japanese regiments that participated in the Tol Plantation massacre in Rabaul only 6 months earlier where Australian POW's were executed in cold blood.

Below you will find an interesting story about Sam Tempelton. At present David and the Kokoda Historical team are continuing their research into the fates of the missing of B Coy that either were killed in action in the early contacts with the Japanese or were executed by the Japanese after being captured, this includes Captain Templeton. David Howell of Historical will be giving a short talk on this subject at the national conference of the Military Historical Society during the Easter long weekend. For more information on this check out our events page: http://www.kokodahistorical.com.au/index.php?/events.html

The 39^th Battalion's most respected and revered officer was Captain Samuel Victor Templeton. He Joined the Battalion in Darley as a lieutenant and was posted to B Company, later through promotion to the rank of Captain he became B Company's commander. Like many of the officers in the 39th and the militia as a whole he was a veteran of The First World War. Having served in the Royal Naval Reserve as a junior gunnery officer in the Adriatic Squadron (1918-1919) He was also involved in the Irish Rebellion of 1917 and during the Spanish Civil War as member of the international brigade, a group of people from all different countries who volunteered to Spain in order to fight against fascism.

Read more: Sam Templeton

The good people at Foxhole Medals have just released their limited edition Kokoda poster. What a perfect way to rememember the Kokoda and Northern Beachhead Campaigns of WWII. The three iconic images displayed in this poster are strong reminders of the sacrifice made by both the Australian soldiers and the famous Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels. 

The poster is available either framed or unframed direct from Foxhole Medals. You can call them direct on 03 6231 4730   

Foxhole Medals takes great pride in their old fashioned values of Honesty, Reliability, and Craftsmanship, and are current suppliers to the Australian Defence Force. You can count on Foxhole for the precision required to ensure your Medals are perfectly mounted, ready for the next time you're on parade! They don’t just promise, they deliver, first time, every time!

Check out the Foxhole website at http://foxholemedals.com.au/index.php

Become a member of the Kokoda Track Foundation and help to keep the Kokoda Spirit alive. As a member of the Foundation you can get involved in a number of different ways: Keep up to date with the work we are doing in Papua New Guinea; volunteer your time and expertise to one of the Foundation areas; vote at annual general meetings; and join a passionate network of people who care about our nearest neighbours in Papua New Guinea. Join us and help keep the Spirit alive.

Read more: Join the Kokoda Track Foundation

Stories of  ”mateship” – during times of war are universal.  It does not matter from which corner of the globe they come from, whether on the battlefields of Europe, Russia and North Africa, or in the steaming jungles of the Pacific – the tales all have a common thread .  But the bond forged between men under fire can form a friendship that endures the test of time.  And for Australian diggers, Bede Tongs M.M. and Owen Baskett of the 3rd Militia Battalion their friendship has endured for over 67 years.

The Military Medal was awarded to Sergeant Bede TONGS during fighting at Eora Creek (now known as Templeton’s Crossing 2).

Read more: New Digger Story: Bede Tongs MM & Owen Baskett