[Article information and photos sourced by Maj Gen ‘Hori’ Howard (Retd) and edited by Kev Horton, Hon Sec PIB-NGIB-HQ-PIR Assn]
By the early 2000’s, the Taurama Cemetery had fallen into an embarrassing condition with all bronze plaques having been stolen from the headstones by local squatters and little maintenance was occurring. There are Australian Servicemen buried there along with their PNG comrades. Also, there are several Australian Servicemen’s wives interred there. With the help of the Port Moresby sub-branch of the RSL, the High Commission and the Salvation Army, the cemetery was cleaned up and re-dedicated in September 2013. DVA War Graves agreed to maintain the cemetery and the plaques have all been replaced with granite restoring a sense of dignity to the site.
The whole task was initiated by a search for RSM Osi’s grave, which is not in
the Cemetery. It was found some distance away from the cemetery and has now
also been restored. So RSM Osi has exerted influence at Taurama Barracks even from his grave. (See the addendum at the end of this article.)
The email below was sent by Mick Rice, Secretary, Returned and Services League of Australia (Port Moresby Sub-Branch) shortly after the re-dedication.
At 1100h on the 25th September 2013, the Port Moresby Sub Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia conducted the re dedication service for the Australian Graves at Taurama Barracks PNG, please find attached some photos and the Order of Service.
In attendance at today’s service were:
Colonel Dick Parker – Australian Defence Attaché to PNG
Glenn Maitland – President of the Port Moresby Sub Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia
Ken Noga – Former CDF PNGDF
Jason Daniels – Office of Australian War Graves
Captain Jake Osborne- Australian Defence Force Liaison Officer to 1st Battalion Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (1 RPIR)
The current Commanding Officer of 1 RPIR
Major Phil Maxwell – Sub Branch Chaplain
Major Deslea Maxwell – Sub Branch Chaplain
I will follow this email up in the near future with some history on each of the graves.It was a great honour and privilege to be a part of this small but important service.
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May they and their comrades Rest in Peace. |
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Addendum – The search for RSM Osi’s grave
For instigating and co-ordinating the search for RSM Osi’s gravesite, thanks go to Brigadier Chris Appleton, CSC, (Retd) Director, Office of Australian War Graves, Department of Veterans’ Affairs; to Jason Daniels, Manager, Office of Australian War Graves, Papua New Guinea; and to Maj Gen ‘Hori’ Howard (Retd).
The following e-mails indicate some of the details of the search:
> To: Appleton, Chris. Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012
> Subject: SEEKING SOME HISTORY FROM BOMANA
> Chris,
> I spoke with Kila today and he had a word with some of the older men in
the settlement next door to Bomana that had previously worked with OAWG.
Their information was that Osi (from Kerema) indeed started at Bomana just
prior to Independence and worked there until 1982, when Osi became ill and
was hospitalised. In his absence, his son Kau Osi worked at Bomana
casually. After his illness, Osi moved to Kaugere where his parents were,
which is a “suburb” of Moresby out near Taurama Barracks. Perhaps he is
interred there as there is quite a Military Cemetery at the Barracks?
I have asked Kila to let me know if he hears any additional
information
Regards Jason
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Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2012. From: Appleton, Chris
To: Daniels, Jason
Subject: SEEKING SOME HISTORY FROM BOMANA
Jason, your information is excellent. His father, Ivaraoa, was from
Kerema. Osi’s leg problems led to their amputation before he died.
Is there any chance that you could find out the year of his death?
The information is sought to allow his story to be told in the Infantry
Museum at Singleton NSW.
Regards, Chris
From: Jason Daniels
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013
To: Appleton, Chris
Subject: SEEKING SOME HISTORY FROM BOMANA Chris,
I never gave up looking for information regarding Osi, the first PIR RSM and
one time manager at Bomana. Today I uncovered the secret out at Taurama
Barracks. Please see attached photographs.
Regards, Jason
Sent: Thursday, 12 September 2013
To: Brian Howard
Subject: SEEKING SOME HISTORY FROM BOMANA
Dear Hori,
More than a year ago you asked me about Osi’s death. I regret how long this
has taken, but see the attached images.
I hope you are fit and well.
Best regards
Chris
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