June 10, 2014

Australian World War II soldiers to be laid to rest in PNG

Two Australian soldiers killed on Kairiru Island during World War II will be laid to rest at the Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery.

Lance Corporal Spencer Walklate and Private Ronald Eagleton will be buried with military honours in the presence of their families on Thursday. Also attending will be the sole surviving member of their last patrol, Sapper Edgar “Mick” Dennis MM.

Members of the public may attend the service which commences at 9.30am on Thursday 12 June.

Lance Corporal Walklate and Private Eagleton were captured and killed by Japanese soldiers during an eight man Z Special Unit patrol during World War Two. They were thought to be lost at sea, before evidence discovered by the Australian Army’s Unrecovered War Casualties unit lead to the discovery of their remains on Kairiru Island.

Media notes:
The service is closed to media. A media release and Australian Defence Force photographs of the service will be issued on Friday.