THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
117/2009
AUSTRALIAN DIGGERS LAID TO REST
IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, paid tribute to
fallen Second World War diggers who were laid to rest at Bomana War Cemetery in
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea earlier today.
The families of Lance Sergeant James Garrard Wheeler and Lieutenant Talbot
Logan were present as the remains of their loved ones and two unknown Australian
soldiers were buried with full military honours.
“This is a time to remember the courage of these men, and recognise the
considerable grief their loss has caused their families – both then and now,” said Mr
Combet.
“The men were laid to rest at Bomana alongside more than 3300 of their comrades
who also died during the Pacific campaigns of the Second World War.”
“Australia owes a debt of gratitude to all 39,000 servicemen and women who died
during the Second World War, and today’s military funeral is an appropriate way to
commemorate the service and sacrifice of these diggers, and provide some comfort
to the loved ones they left behind.”
The identified men were killed in separate incidents that occurred exactly one month
apart – the first on 1 December 1942.
“Lance Sergeant Wheeler was killed 67 years ago today while attempting to reach an
injured comrade during the US Army 126th Regiment’s fight around Huggins Road
Block on the Soputa/Sanananda Track,” Mr Combet said.
“Lieutenant Logan was in command of 9 Platoon when he was killed on 1 January
1943 by a Japanese sniper during the 2/12th Battalion’s attack on Giropa Point at
Buna.”
The Australian Army provided an honour guard at the ceremony which was also
attended by the Deputy Chief of Army, Major General Paul Symon. Members of the
Australian Federation Guard fired volleys over the graves and a lone bugler played
the Last Post.
The soldier’s remains were recovered from battlefields around Buna, Sanananda and
Popondetta. An Army investigation team positively identified two sets of remains,
and those unidentified have been buried under a headstone marked ‘Known Unto
God’.
Media note:
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Greg Combet):
02 6277 7620 or 0458 276 619
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
