THE HON. GREG COMBET MP
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
031/2010
Missing Patrolmen Found After 44 Years
The remains of two Australian servicemen missing in action in Indonesia since
1966, have been found and positively identified.
“Special Air Service (SAS) patrolmen Lieutenant Kenneth Hudson and Private
Robert Moncrieff were part of an SAS patrol and were conducting border
security operations during the Indonesia Confrontation between the
Federation of Malaysia and Indonesia,” Greg Combet, Minister for Defence
Personnel, Materiel and Science said.
“Lieutenant Hudson and Private Moncrieff were separated from the rest of
their patrol during a river crossing in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, on 21
March 1966.
"When the two men failed to failed to rendezvous with their patrol as planned,
the patrol returned to its base in Sarawak. Despite extensive searches to
locate the patrolmen at the time, they were not found,” Mr Combet said.
In 2008, Army commenced an investigation to try and locate the human
remains of the two men. The Army immediately asked for assistance from the
Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI). Agreement was received in 2009, along with
the offer of direct assistance from officers of TNI to form a joint investigation
and research team.
“I would like to recognise and praise the efforts of the official Australian Army
investigation team, and express gratitude for the support of the TNI during the
investigation,” Mr Combet said.
“Due to this great level of cooperation and assistance provided by the
Indonesian Government and the TNI, the Army will be able to bring the
remains of Kenneth Hudson and Robert Moncrieff home to their families.
“In particular I would like to acknowledge the assistance of the residents of
Sanggau province, who offered the recovery team significant assistance. The
team discovered that at the time of the disappearance it was local
Indonesians who had found the bodies of the two men and recovered them
and gave them respectful burials. It was the same Indonesians who helped
the joint team locate the burial sites and recover the remains.
“I would also like to express my sincere thanks to many within the ex-serving
and serving SAS community for their role in the recovery of the remains which
were recovered from two burial sites, six kilometres apart.
“The perseverance and determined efforts of the ex-serving and serving SAS
community have contributed to the final success to locate and recover the
remains of the two missing soldiers.
“Planning is now well underway to repatriate the remains of Lieutenant
Hudson and Private Moncrieff to Australia. The date for repatriation will be
advised when known.
“Their families have awaited their return for 44 years. They will now be able to
bring their loved ones home and lay them to rest with proper military honours,”
Mr Combet said.
The official Army investigation report and findings have been presented to and
accepted by the West Australian Coroner.
In 1965-66 the Australian Army was involved in border security operations
during the Indonesia Confrontation between the Federation of Malaysia and
Indonesia. This included cross border operations of Special Air Service
Regiment (SASR) patrols, part of the Australian Forces stationed in the
Malaysian state of Sarawak.
Media Note:
The families of the Lieutenant Hudson and Private Moncrieff have requested
privacy and will not be conducting media interviews at this present time.
Imagery is available at:
Biographies for Lieutenant Hudson and Private Moncrieff are available at:
Media contacts:
Rod Hilton (Mr Combet)
02 6277 7620 or 0458 276 619
Defence Media Liaison
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
