Browse Interviews (35 total)

Mr Billy Ivai tells the story of what life was like for village people during the War.

Mr Claude Gegera Peututu tells his own story about this experience as a young man being recruited and working as a carrier for the Australians during the Kokoda Campaign. He worked for both the Australians and Americans until the end of the War.

Mrs Asi shared accounts of what she first saw when the Americans bombed the places around her village because the Japanese were based here- Lakurumau. She witnessed these as a little girl. Her family fled into the bush. She also told of how the…

Mr Kavavu provides an overview of New Ireland's history, before describing his own experiences as a child under Japanese occupation during the war. In this interview, he sings one of the Japanese songs he was taught while at school.

Mr Dennis Itari tells the story of his grandfather, Soni Goto who worked as a carrier during the battle of Buna-Sanananda in 1942 when the famous George Silk photo of George Whittington and Raphael Oembari was taken.

Mr Elking Doroda recounts a story told to him by his father, about two scouts who assisted the Australian and American troops to get to Buna.

Mr Faola Lehui tells the stories shared by his father, including a story about a lost Australian soldier during the Kokoda Campaign who was led into a cave by a spirit lady. He also speaks of villagers killed by the Japanese.

Mr Jossan tells about what he witnessed with the Japanese when they invaded his village. He also tells of how the Japanese taught some skills to people and how used the people to do different tasks for them as labourers. He also explains how the…

Mr Galahodi Delidelito tells the story of his two grandfathers namely Panuela Laulauaga (his father's father) and Mado Fanohi (his mother's father). Mr Panuela Laulauaga was recruited as a carrier while Mr Mado Fanohi a carrier and butcher of the…

Mr Gideon Warite tells the story of his father Warite Koare who worked as a carrier for the Australians during the War. He also speak about his mother and the other villages having to hide in caves during the War to avoid the fighting.

Mr Hawala Laula shares his own story of being a teenager during the War and what it was like living in a village during the Kokoda Campaign.

Mr Ivan Bohura tells the story of his father, Mealo Iluvi and his uncle Kesia who worked as a carriers for the Australians during the Kokoda Campaign. Mr Bohura also speaks about the Lost Battlefield.

Mr Ivan Nitua tells the story of his father worked as a carrier for the Australians during World War Two. He speaks of the effect the War had on villagers.

Mr Jerry Dimuda tells the story of his father Dimuda Niligi who was a carrier and scout /policeman who looked after the Egulu clan during the Kokoda Campaign.

Mr Joe Tore tells the stories of his uncle Mr Gilbert Toroigawa and his father Mr Apeka Toroigawa. His uncle was a labourer who was captured by the Japanese but escaped and was then recruited by the Australian army as a driver during the war. His…

Mr John Francis Ihari recounts witnessing his father's execution at Higaturu during the Second World War.

John Yawe tells the story of his parent's experiences during WWII.

Mr Julian Justus Eroro tells the story of his father Mr Justus Eroro who was recruited by the Australian army as a native soldier and fought during the war.

He tells about experiences of the invasion by Japanese in his village, how villagers fed the Japanese by selling food to them and make food gardens for them. Villagers were divided into different groups and locations to do certain tasks for them.…

Mr Lolo Tubaiyodi tells the story of his elder brother Mr Eiya Kaitolewa. Mr Eiya Kaitolewa was recruited by the Australian government to work as a labourer during the war.