The Kainantu Cross of Remembrance

The Kainantu Cross of Remembrance A Memorial To Those Who Served In New Guinea In World War Two

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By Charles Micheals

This book is provided free of charge. However, if you would like to make a gift to the ongoing work of the author and his work with Wycliffe Bible Translators and help cover the cost of producing this book and others like it, please go to: Supporting Charles and Barbara Micheals' Work With Wycliffe Bible Translators

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The Kainantu Cross of Remembrance A Memorial To Those Who Served In New Guinea In World War Two

Winter Park, Florida

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© 2013 Charles J. Micheals

Published by the Aiyura Valley Historical Society

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the publisher.

ISBN: Pending

First Printing 2013 (Not for Sale)

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

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Dedication To the men and women who fought for freedom in New Guinea in World War Two.

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The Kainantu Cross of Remembrance A Memorial To Those Who Served In New Guinea In World War Two A cross is a reminder of a cruel and costly sacrifice given by an individual.

At times, the cross has meant

punishment for laws broken or sins committed. For Christians, it is the place where Jesus died and a symbol of freedom from sin. For others it is a symbol of bravery and sacrifice given for a deeply held belief. Bearing a cross means being on the path of death or carrying a heavy burden. However, a cross on a battlefield or place of war serves as a memorial to remind everyone of the sacrifices of brave men and women who fought for a cause they believed worth dying for.

The Cross of Remembrance located in Kainantu, a small town nestled in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, is such a memorial. Created in 1966 by the men of the Returned Services League of New Guinea, it is a fitting tribute to those Australians and other Allied forces that bravely fought in the jungles and mountains of New Guinea during World War Two for the cause of freedom.

To the men who created the memorial cross in Kainantu, it was a tribute that took on a personal meaning as the men who produced and dedicated the cross in 1966 were the very men who fought so bravely for the cause of freedom in New Guinea. After returning home to Australia they returned to the territory which they helped liberate to become involved in the beginning task of nation building for what would later become the country of Papua New Guinea. There they began the work of ‘subduing the earth’ and exploring a newly opened territory for miners, merchants and missionaries. 6|Page

While the opportunities to earn an income and start new business existed, the desire to see the newly forming nation develop was also in the hearts of these brave people. One desire they processed was a desire to see that the sacrifice of their fellow soldiers, airmen and navy colleagues of World War Two would not be forgotten.

On Saturday, August 23, 1966, a dedication for the Cross of Remembrance was held in Kainantu. The men who fought in the country, their families and many other friends and colleagues met along with government officials and New Guineans to dedicate this lasting tribute.

Along with this memorial, now comes a booklet which serves as another opportunity to preserve the memories of the war’s heroes, their sacrifice and the day of the dedication.

My thanks go to the following people who helped make this book possible:

❖ Peter Schindler, Ivan Schindler and Gillian Landers. Children of Aubrey and Ancie Schindler1. ❖ Timothy Dean. His parents worked with the Summer Institute of Linguistics in the nearby Aiyura Valley2. ❖ Muriel MacGowan Larner3. Married to Wally Larner. They worked near Kainantu at the Arau Plantation. ❖ Judith Cheatham. Worked in New Guinea with her husband Kevin John Cheatham at the Aionora Plantation. ❖ Jessie Webb, serving with the Research Centre of the Australian War Memorial. ❖ Alyce Maschio, serving as the Communications Officer for the Returned Services League (Queensland Branch).

A special word of thanks goes to my wife Barb for her patience with me during the time it took to collect material and to write this book. She encouraged me to keep working on this project and gave advice on

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The Foundation of Aiyura Valley by Charles Micheals http://issuu.com/cbmicheals/docs/the_foundation_of_aiyura_valley 2 Though I Walk Through The Valley by Charles Micheals - http://issuu.com/cbmicheals/docs/aiyura_valley_in_world_war_ii 3 Mi Meri Tolai – by Charles Micheals (ed.) - http://issuu.com/cbmicheals/docs/muriel_larner

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many practical things. She also helped with editing and proofreading. Without her help, this work would not have been completed.

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The War and Its Sacrifices Remembered

“Cross of Remembrance” Dedication August 23, 1966 – Kainantu, Territory of New Guinea (L-R) Army Chaplain Raymond Quirk, Mick Casey (Yonki Plantation Owner) (A), Tom Watson (Postmaster)(N), Graham KingsfordSmith (Dunantina – Henganofi – Plantation Owner and nephew of Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith – Australian Aviator who made the first trans-Pacific flight from the USA to Australia) (N), Wally Larner (Arau Plantation Owner) (A), Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Alexander Bishop (MM4) (A), Aubrey J. Schindler (Highlands Experimental Agricultural Station and Kainantu Return Service League (RSL) President (MC5) (A), David Kent-Biggs (Plantation Owner – Near Arona) (WC), Sam Marshall (Plantation Owner – North of Kainantu) (A), Lionel Oxlade (Arona Cattle Station Owner) (A), Doctor Charles Reginald Ralston Huxtable (Eastern Highlands Doctor) MC (A), Last Person – Unknown, Army Chaplain Erich Reidel Not Shown (Photo Courtesy of Ivan Schindler) A – Army, MM – Military Medal, MC – Military Cross, N – Navy, WC – War Correspondent

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http://www.awm.gov.au/research/people/honours_and_awards/person.asp?p=349800 http://www.awm.gov.au/research/people/honours_and_awards/person.asp?p=349488

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The Cross of Remembrance was created by the men of the Returned Services League of New Guinea. These Australian men all fought in New Guinea in World War Two6 and returned to the country from their homeland in Australia to eventually take up work in the territory of New Guinea.

At the time the cross was created, the Australian government was responsible for maintaining the Territory of New Guinea which was created in the aftermath of World War Two. Kainantu is located in the Eastern Highlands of the country and is located in a strategic area which acts as gateway to the rest of the highlands region.

Before the war, Kainantu (also known as the Upper Ramu) was the headquarters for the government’s work in the region. From Kainantu, patrol officers explored the nearby country and worked to pacify the people who lived in the area. The Kainantu District was the scene of fierce tribalism and significant opposition by the local residents which was aimed at the miners, explorers and missionaries who were trying to move into the area after the war.

During the war, the Japanese had patrolled the area and had killed a number of Australians in a night time raid near the town. The Japanese also bombed the airstrip in Kainantu and the nearby Aiyura Valley7 and had intentions of taking over this prized outpost. However, thanks to the courage of the Australian Diggers and the heroic action of the Catholic Priest, Father John Glover8, the town survived the attacks of the Japanese.

By the early 1960s, plantations and business were being developed by the men who fought in the territory. As these businesses grew, so did the affections for the sacrifices of the men who did battle there in the war. As the Returned Services League developed in the Kainantu area, a project was created to create a lasting tribute to their sacrifices.

While it uncertain who actually constructed the cross, it is likely that the cross was created by Wally Vollert from the ‘Vollert Steel Fabrication’ company which was located in the northern coastal town of Lae. The cross is made in the image of a Latin cross and similar in design to the ‘Cross of Sacrifice’ which

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Australia in World War Two – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQsQa9_jkg4

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Though I Walk Through The Valley by Charles Micheals - http://issuu.com/cbmicheals/docs/aiyura_valley_in_world_war_ii 8 Angel of Mercy by Charles Micheals - http://issuu.com/cbmicheals/docs/father_john_glover

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is found at Commonwealth War graves. However, there is no cemetery associated with this cross and the cross does not contain the bronze sword nor an octagon base.

Over the years the memorial area became the home to a military cannon, which now sites near the cross. It is unknown when or how the cannon came to be there or even the type of cannon it is, but likely it was placed there by others to serve as an additional memorial to work of these brave men.

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An Australian Remembrance From The Australian War Memorial Web Site – August 23, 1966

Video of the Cross of Remembrance Dedication – Memorial Crest (Photo courtesy of the Australian War Memorial)9

The town of Kainantu in the Eastern Highlands of New Guinea, has a new landmark - a Cross of Remembrance. Built by local members of the RSL (Returned Services League10), the cross stands in a commanding position on a hill overlooking the town. The president of the Kainantu RSL sub-branch, Mr. A.J. Schindler, and the Commanding Officer of the Papua New Guinea Volunteer Rifles, LieutenantColonel M.A. Bishop, inspected a guard formed for the ceremony. Hundreds of local residents, schoolchildren and RSL members watched as the prayers of dedication were read by Army Chaplains R. 9

From the Australian War Memorial (https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/F03785/) Returned Services League - www.rsl.org.au

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Quirk and E. Reidel. The guard was piped to and from the ceremony by two pipers from the Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion Pacific Islands Regiment. A drummer-bugler from the Battalion sounded the Last Post and Reveille.11

Cross of Remembrance Dedication – Memorial Crest (Photo courtesy of the Australian War Memorial)

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Cross of Remembrance Dedication - Australian War Memorial - http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/F03785

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The Memorial Today The Cross of Remembrance location was the location of the club house for the Kainantu Golf Club12. The cannon still sits at the base of the cross. No plaque is on the base to record the event. Perhaps at a later date, a memorial stone or plaque can be added.

The crest where the memorial and the memorial is located is now in a sad state with what appears to be no oversite. Perhaps this memorial can be returned to its former glory as people work toward that end.

2019 - Cross of Remembrance - Located at the Kainantu Golf Club. – Memorial Crest (Photo courtesy of Charles Micheals)

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The History of the Kainantu Golf Club by Charles Micheals - http://issuu.com/cbmicheals/docs/kainantu_golf_club

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1999 - Cross of Remembrance - Located at the Kainantu Golf Club. – Memorial Crest (Photo courtesy of Charles Micheals)

1999 - Cross of Remembrance - Located at the Kainantu Golf Club. – Memorial Crest (Photo courtesy of Charles Micheals)

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Appendix

Map of Kainantu indicating cross location in red (Map Produced by Terra Nova Publishing)

Australian Honours Notice – Aubrey Schindler (Photo Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial)

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Australian Honours Notice – Malcolm Bishop (Photo Courtesy of the Australian War Memorial)

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Bibliography Australian War Memorial, Army Activities in PNG. <http://cas.awm.gov.au/item/F03785> Australian War Memorial, Honours and Awards –Aubrey John Schindler <http://www.awm.gov.au/research/people/honours_and_awards/person.asp?p=349488> Australian War Memorial, Honours and Awards - Malcolm Alexander Bishop <http://www.awm.gov.au/research/people/honours_and_awards/person.asp?p=349800> Micheals Charles J. The History of the Kainantu Golf Club. ISSUU: 2012 Returned Services League - Australia <http://www.rsl.org.au>

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About The Author

Charles Micheals is a native of Michigan and lived the first thirty years of his life there, eventually working in the grocery industry. In 1985 his wife Barbara and their four small children joined Wycliffe Bible Translators and moved to the country of Papua New Guinea (PNG) where they worked with the internationally known non-profit linguistic organization, SIL International (formerly the Summer Institute of Linguistics). Charles served in a variety of administrative roles in PNG, including several years as the Chairman of the SIL PNG Job Evaluation and Wage Review Committee and on the SIL PNG Executive Committee.

During their 15 years of service in PNG, Bible translation work was completed in 67 languages and over 100 additional Bible translation projects were started. Today, almost 180 language communities, representing 1.8 million people in PNG have access to the Scriptures in their own languages.

In 2000, Charles and Barbara moved back to the USA and Charles served for several years as the Regional Director for Recruitment for Wycliffe, living in the Chicago, Illinois area. In 2004 they moved to Orlando, Florida where Charles served for six and one half years as the Vice President for Recruitment Ministries for Wycliffe. He currently heads up Wycliffe’s Management and professional Recruitment Department and speaks at various mission conferences and colleges each year. Barbara coordinates several Wycliffe short term mission trips each year.

Charles holds a BS degree in Food Distribution from Western Michigan University and a MA degree in Organization Management from Dallas Baptist University. He served on the Board of Directors for The Finishers Project, a non-profit mission dedicated to helping people in the second half of life find places to serve in missions. He has also been involved in helping create and develop Mission Teach, a ministry 20 | P a g e

dedicated to helping place teachers in MK (Missionary Kid) mission schools around the world and Military Believer, a growing ministry dedicated to helping military personnel who are leaving the military, find opportunities for service in global missions.

Charles has also authored a number of articles about the work of SIL in PNG and other historical articles about life in the Aiyura Valley in PNG. (http://issuu.com/cbmicheals/docs)

Both Charles and Barbara are members of Saint Andrew’s church in Sanford, FL and are involved in a variety of church activities there. Charles serves as an elder at the church.

However, they are still

members of Second Christian Reformed Church, in Kalamazoo, Michigan which is the church that commissioned them for their work with Wycliffe.

All four of their children are actively supporting

missions and church ministry work. Two of their four children are serving with Wycliffe around the world.

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Back Cover - Cross of Remembrance Dedication – Memorial Crest (Photo courtesy of the Australian War Memorial) 22 | P a g e

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