Names search for military memorial

Monday, 23 November 2009 10:13

By VANESSA SEEKEE
Research has begun into the discovery of names to be added to the Serviceperson’s  memorial in Anzac Park, Thursday Island.  Currently the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion names are listed, however work has begun to locate other men and women from Torres Strait who have served in WW2 and in subsequent years.  There will also be an addition to the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion panels of the non indigenous soldiers who saw service with the unit.

This memorial is for the community and as such it would be appreciated if anyone has any additions or changes to be made to the list (see below),  please contact Mayor Pedro Stephen on 4069 1336 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Vanessa Seekee on 4090 3333, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .   The names listed represent the multi cultural nature of the area, while many families have sent more than one child for military service.  Some on the list lost their lives,eg. Arthur Wesley Filewood was a commando with Z Force, was captured and died a POW.  Harold Dewis, son of Ollie and Noressa Dewis died at the age of 20yrs while in the 2 Australian Water Transport, and Torres Roberts, a POW who died whilst a prisoner in New Guinea.  Others on the list were husband and wife, or brothers and sisters.  All branches are represented;  Army, Navy, Royal Australian Airforce, and Merchant Navy, with some serving overseas and others in Australia.  Some won awards; Charles Mene won the Military Medal, and Henry James Mills won the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Some joined together, eg. On the 15 December 1939 Ted Loban, Ahwang Ahboo, Victorianno Blanco, James Dalton, Francis Dredge, Arthur Filewood, Laurence Mills, Leonard Waters all joined up together.  James Dalton and Arthur Filewood were killed in action.
Another list includes those who have served since WW2, in peacetime or in war, eg. Vietnam., Korea, Malaya, and the Indonesian Confrontation.  These men and women should be remembered and honoured for their military service.  
This project is supported by Torres Shire Council, and hopes to be completed for Anzac Day 2010.   If there are any changes or additions to be made, please contact Mayor Stephen or Vanessa Seekee by 15 December 2009.

The  current names are:

Torres Strait Servicemen.
Navy: Napau Pedro Stephen, Patrick Mills – Vietnam, Phillip Bowie, Phillip Paulo, Tony Shellwood, Ronald Della Bon, Noel Vincent Bon, Wilfred Tapau, Beimop Tapim, Pamela Tapim, Gobey Tapim, Roney William Wasaga, Tommy Nakata, Michael Mara, Allan Arabena, Moureen Ahwang, Kenny Ahwang, Francis Loban, John Adidi, Stephen Matthews, Donald Banu, Terry Wiai, Marasat Ketchell, Bill Lui, Phillip Ketchell, Phillip Dorante, Clarance Dorante, Albert Amber, Eddie Amber, Belford Lui, Kevin Savage, Leo Akee, Justin Tapim, Terry Wia
Airforce: Bill Thaiday, Philimena David, Carman Oui, Ted Harry, Pauline Matters, Army , Donald Bowie, Trent Bani, Aken Akee, Wasu, Aaron Daniels, John Clifford Seekee – Vietnam , Bully Sailor – Vietnam, Kenneth M. Bedford – Korea, James Baud - Korea, Wawey Tapim - Korea, Charles Mene - Korea, Sarbo Sambo – Korea, Mial Bingarape – Indonesian Confrontation, 1963-1966.
Non-Indigenous Members of the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion, World War 2: QX44600 Major John Uther Swain, NX76291 Major Charles Frederick Godtschalk, VX15157 Major Walter Harold Mitchell., VX32206 Capt. Terence Hope Ring, QX36762 Capt Albert Arthur Deoberitz, VX108210 Capt. Ronald Herbert Eckersall, QX40801 Capt Stanley Owen Strange, Q85074 Lt. Harold Norman Hockings., Q185036 Lt. James Hilton Cadzow, VX65654 Lt William Reginald Jeffrey, Lt Laing, Lt Linklater, QX44595 Lt Charles Vesty Matters., QX44596 Lt Roy Montgomery, VX108212 Lt Kevin Reginald Parrott., Lt T. Power, VX43303 Lt Aubrey Kenneth Ring, NX12964 Lt Henry Irving Silcock, NX8581 Lt Bruce Smith, VX104342 Lt Ian Ross Symons., VX104044 Lt Keith James Wilson., Lt Wyatt, NX66683 Lt Clive Angus Doughan, Lt Evans, VX127448 Warrant Officer II Francis Reginald Wood, QX59156 WO II Ronald Henry Crane, VX63105 Sgt John Joseph Grumley, NX155549 Sgt. Thomas Robson Cole., Sgt Davies, Sgt Hull, Sgt Martin, Sgt Stanton, Cpl G.H. Rhoades., Dvr Chapman, Dvr Knox, Dvr Ryan, NX80525 Private Thomas John McGillivray , Gnr C.J. Nicholls.,
World War Two Torres Strait Veterans
Army: QX6558 Pte. Ahboo Ahwang, Q116094. Pte. Mungie Ahboo, D403. Pte. Johnnie Ahmat, QX49389. Sapper Charles Ahmat, D245 Pte. Peter Ahmat, DX967 Pte. Peter Ali Ahmat, Q115795 Pte. Clive Hartley Allen, Q186658 Pte. Jack Assan, Q266484 Craftsman Gilbert Wilfred Baltzer, QX12394 Pte. Reginald George Bamback, QX6551 Pte. Frederick Elson Baxter, Q85311 Pte. Toerkie Binhassan, QX6559 Cpl. Victorianno Blanco, Q230069 Pte. Leslie Boota, QX8689 L/Sgt. Thomas James Burgess, Q111057 Pte. Edward Boyd, Q119266 Pte. Percival Ambrose Boyd, QX36979 WO1 Douglas Ernest Cairns, NGX190 Pte. Colin Gordon Carpenter, NX124180 WO1 Conrad Castor, Q224093 Signalman Victor Paul Claes, QX30902 WO2 Henry Clarke, QX22207 Pte. Torres Alfred Cohen, QX45085 Signalman Geoffrey Eric Cohen, Q122430Cpl. Ralph Vincent Collins, N103269 Gnr Edward Warren Cousens, WX22101 Pte. Fred Conway, QX48227 Pte. Thomas Corrie, QX6552 Pte. James Dalton, NX12691 Sapper George Joseph Dan, N251227 Pte. Michael Dan, Q116090 Pte Edward Delacruz, QX 52038 Sapper Harold Joseph Dewis, QX43 Signalman Ronald Cyril Donaldson M.M , D456 Gnr Edward Dorman, Q202047 Pte. Edward Michael Doyle, QX6550 Sgt. Francis Eugene Dredge, NX205965 Pte. Walter Owen Dredge, DX989 Pte. Oswald Drummond, QX61447 Cpl. John Bamford Dunwoodie, QF269721 Pte. Margaret Helen Dunwoodie, QX48226 Pte. George John Elarde, Q186662 Sapper Stephen Anthony Elarde, QX63640 Pte. Joseph Elarde, VX27377 Pte. Henry Ernest Ellis, QX16005 L/Sgt. Arthur Torres Filewood, QX6556 Cpl. Arthur Wesley Filewood, QX16007 Pte. George Noel Filewood, QX155922 Pte. William John Filewood, QX3616 Pte. Albert Erwin Franks, 99076 Sgt. Lillian Mary Gallogly, 2405 Lt. Septimus William Garling, QX45120 Lt. Edna May Gilbert, W95025 Pte. Henry Joseph Gonzales, QX7962 Pte. Joseph Guivarra, QX700218 Major Alfred John Hancock, QX11847 L/Cpl. George Henry Hatton, QX8213 WO1 Edwin Noel Hayne, QX33842 Lt. Lancelot Eric Hayne, QX12768 Pte. Roy Richard Hendricks, Q116089 Pte. Albert Herwawa, NX72509 Sapper Sydney Hewitt, NX100204 Gnr. Harry William Hodel, Q272073 Pte. David John Hodges, QX61469 Pte. Noel Ambrosia Hodges, Q116087 Pte. Robert Charles Hodges, Q116085 Pte. Doela Hondo, T156525 Pte. Frederick Spencer Hooper, Q116097 Pte. Subeden Hoosen, QX48341 Gnr. Joseph Emmet Houston, QX47231 Pte. Thomas Desmond Houston, QX52638 Cpl. Montague Vernon Howlett, QX11866 Pte. Joseph Irlandes, Q201318 Pte. Robert William Kelly, Q116091 Pte. Arthur George Kidman, Q144777 Cpl. David Edmond Kropp, Q112749  Craftsman Herbert William Kropp, QX46864 Pte. Claude John Laifoo, QX116086 Pte. Stanley David Laifoo, QX16002 Pte. David Alexander Lambert, Q270988 Pte. Reggie Lee, Q186642 Cpl. Leslie William Lewis, Q54951 Cpl. Johnny Ishmail Levi, QX6557 Pte. Ted Geoffrey Loban, SX19495 Sapper Robert Leslie Love, NG2489 Pte. Frank Henry Luff, QX8753 Gnr. Geoffrey Walter Luscombe, NX41562 Lt. Alastair Lyall MacKenzie, Q217060 Cpl. David Lyall MacKenzie, Q121942 Pte. Donald Mackenzie MacFarlane, VX5338 Major Richard Hoskin MacFarlane, QX32833 WO2 William James MacGill, VX13058 Pte. John Edward Madden, Q85312 Pte. Manoungi, QX55907 Pte. Dominica Patricia Marrinan, NX48695 WO2 Herbert Oscar May, QF270810 Gnr. Patricia Mary McLean, NX102558 Major Norman Ronald McLeod, Q187131 Sgt. Francis Little McMah, Q116088 Pte. Aaron Francis Mallie, QX48225 L/Cpl. Peter Mallie, P174 WO2 Adrian Newton Matthews, D404 Pte. Thomas Adrian Mayo, DX882 Pte. Tino Mayo, Q85080 Pte Claude Maza, QX 6555 Pte. Charles Mene M.M, Q143670 Pte. Alfred Torres Mills, Q221850 Pte. Charles Wyben Mills, QX6553 WO2 Laurence Charles Mills, Q186671 Cpl. David James Mitchell, Q116081 Pte. Edwin Motlop, Q230582 Pte. Emanuel Thomas Motlop, Q270515 Pte. William Alfred Motlop, DX936 Pte. Alfred Tores Motlop, QX53400 Pte. Wililam Motlop, WX13053 Pte. Gerald Murray, V67668 Gnr. Frederick Murphy, WX10074 Pte. Aubrey Murray, NX71698 Cpl. Charles John Nicholson, N72024 Pte. William Nock, DX996 Pte. Leo Odegaard, QX39923 Cpl. Jack Henry O’Neill, WX30635 Cpl. Donald Joseph Owen, Q266116 Pte. John Oswald Oxley, QX16004 Pte. William Francis Patching, N458884. Pte Archie Torres Pearson, QX7716 Lt. Andrew Edward Phillips, Q219728 Pte David Pitt, Q215100 Pte. Robert Richard Pitt, NFX117291 Lt. Jean Maskell Playfair, QX15655 Pte. Reginald Claude Pymar, DX1004 Pte. Victor John Raymond, VX23912 L/Cpl. Torres Hopkins Roberts, QX52403 WO2 Laurence Moar Robertson, Q50763 Pte. Frederick Rowe, QX57850 Signalman Lewis Paul Schomberg, Q116098 Pte. Henry George Seabrook, QX58192 Mohammat Richard Seden, Q116093 Pte. Wagi Matthew Seden, Q140548 Sgt. Louise Esther Sellars, NX147334 Cpl. John Joseph Senz, DX641 Sapper Ernest Henry Shadforth, Q85475 Pte. Gausa Sigai, NX94761 Pte. John Sing, QX21257 Pte. Malcolm Henry Smith, QX49388 Pte. Jack John Smoke, Q142105 Pte. Jerome Sofin, N389369 Pte. Herbert Alexander Smyth, Q137356 Pte. John Thomas Strutton, QX49391 L/Sgt. Joseph Taylor, QX52047 Pte. Edward Finney Timmerman, N274545 Gnr. Jack Trenear, QX39782 Lt. Herbert Somerset Vidgen, QX25302 Major Frank Grahame Vidgen, VX1532 Craftsman Lawrence John Wallace, QX61606 Pte. Charles Wallis, Q220305 Pte. Fredrick Walters, QX60627 Lt. Joseph Leathom Wassell , QX16003 Sapepr Francis Harvey Watt, QX6554 Sgt. Leonard Harry Waters, Q55314 Pte. Charles Francis Watson, QX60915 Cpl. Robin James Weightman, N318232 Pte. Edward Vincent Wells, NX128289 Sapper Walter John Westbrook, Q85073 Cpt. Stanley West-Newman, NX109163 Gnr. Oliver Delvin Wilding, QX48228 L/Cpl John James Williams, Q116095 Pte. George Andrew Wilson, Q116095 Pte. Harold Ernest Wilson, QX454 Sgt. Keith Stuart Wilson, Q146603 Sgt. George Vincent Willmett, Q54737 Pte. Joseph Whyte, Q116417 WO2 Patrick Edmond Whyte, Q116100 Pte. Walter Thomas Woods, QX52087 Cpl. Jack Osmundsen Young, N438245A Pte. James Iver Young, NX105914 Norman Malcolm Young, NX37447 WO2 Stanley Edward Young.
RAAF: 276593 Fl/Lt Clive Hartley Allen, 275371 Fl/Lt. John Hildreth Bleakley, 414760 P/O Colin Harvey Cameron, 135586 LAC William Michael Chee Quee, 441118 LAC Albert Benedict Clark, 24822 Sgt. Norman Llewellyn Cramb, 79533 LAC Arthur Thomas Crispin, 100758 Cpl. Winnifred Norma Cummins, 403090 Fl/Lt. Thomas Edward Done DFC, 350145 F/O Agnes Jessie Donaldson, 109387 Aircraftwoman Gwendolen Agnes Dredge, 25795 Cpl. Sidney Clarence Franks, QX15910 Pte. Thomas Charles Franks, QX3824 Pte. William Franks, 405410 Fl/Lt. George Robert Herring, 102083 A/C Elizabeth Margaret Hockings, 440443 F/O Reginald Hockings, 35401 WO Charles Hogarth Johnston, 428226 WO Phillip Hosken MacFarlane, 03618 W/C Harold Cecil May, 1901 F/O Jack Clifford May, 405978 Fl/Lt. Cecil Lawrence Miller, 434642 F/O Edwin Gordon Miller, 405922 Fl/Lt Henry James Mills DFC, 421368 F/Sgt Anthony Herbert Moss, 98783 Cpl. Sylvia Evelyn Moss, 426645 F/O James William Mulcahy, 62293 LAC Alfred Torres Price, 23945 Cpl. Kevin Ernest Sellars, 76123 F/O Robert Widdrington Stephenson, 44424 Cpl. Erik Herbert Vikstrom, 405782 Fl/Lt. Alexander Edward Vowels DFC, 170142 LAC Albert Roy Weightman,
Navy: B3005 A/Seaman Robert James Burgess, WR/2519 Writer Irene Myrtle Burgess, WR/2526 Writer Iris Ruth Burgess, R/23014 PO EL Charles Alfred Dredge, 20218 Master-at-Arms Frank Edwards, 27372 Coder Rex Hudson, B/348 Able Seaman Mervyn Leslie Lennon, B3030 A/Seaman Arthur Leslie Sellars,
Merchant Navy: Able Seaman Joseph Mark Flannery, Storekeeper Henry Jerome Garcia, Engr. Lt. Charles Newbold Graham, B/V17 Lt. John Walter Markwell ,
US Army Small Ships: Col Jones, Kaimel Abendego, Abendego, Budden Ahmat, Edgar Koiki Williams.