Australian family’s emotional pilgrimage

Source: The National -Friday, October 21st 2011 By MALUM NALU AN Australian family recently made an emotional pilgrimage to Buna/Gona in Northern province to find the battlefield of their relative, Private Allen Arden Lobban, who was killed in the Gona Battle in World War II. Glenys and John Irons, together with their youngest son Gary, his wife Cathy and grandsons Ben and Sam, from Maclean in New South Wales, Australia, travelled to Papua New Guinea to find Gleny’s brother, Allen, who was killed in the Gona Battle. The Irons family was accompanied by Charlie Broughton and Kevin Symmons of Rockhampton, Queensland. Lobban, NX37318, of the 2/33 Australian Infantry Battalion, was killed in the Gona Battle on Nov 22, 1942. He was born at Coffs Habour on the NSW north coast and enlisted on June 25, 1941, at nearby Lismore. He was buried in the Gona War Cemetery and later transferred to the Bomana War Cemetery. Under the guidance of local tourism guide, Thomas Auhava, the Irons family spent some time with Lobban’s grave at the Bomana War Cemtery, and travelled to Owers’ Corner to see the beginning of the Kokoda Trail. They also spent some time at Schwimmers’ War Museum, which is Auhava’s home. The Irons family then visited Buna, Sanananda and Gona in Northern province, receiving a traditional welcome from each village. They stayed in guesthouses in Buna and Gona. Local historian Maclaren Hiari was their guide and historian through this part of the journey. This was a special and historical part of the journey. The Irons family visited Lobban’s gravesite at the old Gona War Cemetery and found the area where he was likely to have been killed. The family came and found what they were looking for and much more. Glenys Irons said: “The friendliness of the local people and their wonderful welcome has been in itself a unique experience that we will never forget.” At the Gona War Cemetery, Thomas Auhava presented Glenys Irons with the Australian Flag, which in turn was presented to Raphale Siraga, who received it on behalf of the people in the Gona area. “We would like to thank EcoTourism Melanesia for making this trip possible for our family, and for introducing us to Maclaren Hiari and Thomas Auhava,” she said. “This has been a very memorable journey. “Thank you, Papua New Guinea.”