PNGAA Library
Commemoration service for those who died, 1 July 1942, on board the Montevideo Maru: John McNabb
7 February, 2004 at 11.00 AM was a very warm morning with brilliant sunshine where some 500-600 people gathered at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens to dedicate a Monument and pay tribute to those who lost their lives on the Montevideo Maru 1 July 1942. The Presiding Officer was Brigadier Keith Rossi, AM, OBE, RFD, ED - RSL Historian.
The assembled gathering stood for the singing of the hymn - “God Save the Queen”
Brigadier Rossi welcomed distinguished visitors including -
Cr David Vendy - Mayor of Ballarat
Mr Les Kennedy - Project Officer - Australian ex-Prisoners of War Memorial
Mr Norman Furness - President 2/22nd Battalion Lark Force Association
Mrs Lorna Johnston (nee Whyte) AANS Rabaul 1941-2 Japan 1942-5
Canon John May OBE Padre 2/22 Batt. Lark Force Association
Mr Kim Beasley - Member of Parliament
The assembled gathering stood for the singing of the hymn - “O God our help in ages past”.
Introductory remarks of the occasion were remembered by Mr Norman Furness.
He expressed how some 1500 men fought bravely and inflicted heavy causalities on the enemy with little or no support. Some died in the invasion, some 160 were massacred at Tol and Gasmata whilst 825 were captured and 300 escaped and are here to tell of their amazing accounts.
Mr John Clark representing relatives of all those who died on the Montevideo Maru, expressed sadness of having lost their loved ones.
A Summary of Relevant History.
Mr Ian Hodges - Military History Section - The Australian War Memorial gave a detailed talk on the events from the time the Units moved into Rabaul and New Britain in 1941, to the attack on Rabaul on the 23 January 1942, to the embarkation of 1053 POWs and civilian personnel onto the Montevideo Maru which, on its way to Japan, was sunk by the USS submarine USS Sturgeon, unaware that there were POWs on board. (Click here for full text of Ian Hodge's talk)
Social Commentary
Mrs Margaret Reeson, author of A very long War and Whereabouts unknown, gave a wonderful speech of her reflections during her time in New Guinea
The Unveiling of the Monument
Mrs Lorna Johnston (née Whyte AANS) spoke of her experiences in New Guinea. She said ”I couldn’t believe my eyes when the Japanese fleet moved up Rabaul harbour”. On the approaching attack by the Japanese, she with other hospital staff moved the sick and wounded from Rabaul Hospital to Vunapope Mission near Kopoko where she eventually raised the white flag of surrender. Canon John May' Padre of the 2/22 Batt., was with Sister Whyte at the time of surrender. Both spent the next three years in Japan.
Mrs Johnston with Mr Norman Furness unveiled the covers to reveal the black marble monument with inscriptions telling of the Japanese raid on Rabaul on 23 January 1942; about 160 surrendered soldiers who were massacred in February 1942 at Tol Plantation; the boarding of 845 Australia POWs and 208 civilians onto the Montevideo Maru, which the American submarine USS Sturgeon attacked and sunk unaware that it was carrying more than 1000 personnel locked in its holds; and the sinking of the Montevideo Maru being the largest maritime disaster in Australian History.
Dedication of the Monument
Canon John May ORE, Padre 2/22 Batt., read the Readings, took the prayers and with the assembled gathering, the response dedication of the monument. It was a very moving ceremonial service. There was a Celtic Blessing.
Laying of the Wreaths
Mr Norman Furness - President, 2/22 Battalion Lark Force Association
Mrs Ailsa Nisbet - Representative of relatives of Lark Force
Mrs Margaret Henderson - Representative of relatives of civilians
Cr David Vendy - Mayor of Ballarat
There were other wreaths laid by individuals
Those in attendance then sang the hymn “Abide with me”. The Ode was said by Mr. Sam Balby, Sgt 2/22nd Batt., and the Service was concluded with “The Last Post”.
Silent Reflection - Brigadier Rossi - LEST WE FORGET, followed by “The Reveille”, “the National Anthem” and the laying of poppies at the monument in personal remembrance.
Sincere thanks was expressed to Dr Les Drew from Canberra who was the driving force behind bringing the monument to Ballarat. Special thanks also went to the Salvation Army who kept cool bottles of water up to the assembled gathering on that very warm morning.
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Lorna Johnston, Former Army Nurse and John May, ex Lark Force Padre and Norm Furness (Photos courtesy Ballarat Courier) |
ADDENDUM
Due to the numerous queries from widows of servicemen who said their husband’s unit is not mentioned on the monument, queries from servicemen who were in Rabaul at the time and their Unit is not mentioned and more information about the “civilians,” it has been decided to make a new plaque containing all amendments and place it over the existing monument. Things missing (just to name a few):-
Units
Fortress Engineers - Main Group at Rabaul
Fortress Signals
1st Independent Coy
Fortress Heavy Artillery
22nd Inf. Battalion (the support for the Garrison)
A detailed check of the plaque revealed only 178 civilian names, yet there were allegedly 208 Civilians on board. Then it was remembered that the Norwegian ship Herstein was bombed by the Japanese: 30 of its sailors were captured and eventually put on board the Montevideo Maru. Soon the plaque will show 845 Australian POWs, 30 Norwegian sailors and 178 civilians.
I believe Dr Ian Drew is attending to the new plaque. The new plaque will cost approximately $6,000 and two-thirds of that amount has already been donated. It is believed that the Norwegian Embassy in Canberra will be asked for a donation and given an invitation to a new Memorial Service and re-dedication of the new Monument. The new plaque should be ready for fixing to the existing Monument with a re-dedication Service being held about November 2004.
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Lorna Johnston (nee Sister Whyte MID) and Norman Furness (President of the 2/22 Battalion) unveiling the Monument at the Montevideo Maru Memorial Service |