The Kokoda Story: Efogi to Myola to Templeton's Crossing to Eora Creek

On Thursday the 3rd of April we had a meeting night where we went through some final things before our trip as well as some of the history of Kokoda. All the students were put into groups of three or four and we each had a part of the track to research and then report back to the whole group. My group had to research Efogi to Myola to Templeton's Crossing to Eora Creek while making reference to Captain Sam Templeton. We had to present our findings in an interesting way and it needed to show the soldier's experiences. We wrote a story for ours and this is it. Enjoy.

As the 39^th Battalion left the small village of Efogi, the sun beat hard on their already tired bodies. On the other side of the valley the battalion could see Kagi, the village they knew would take yet another long hike to get to. As the soldiers reached the bottom of the valley they had to cross an infamous river by a narrow log. They had heard stories of how high the water could rise after a storm but fate seemed to be shining down on them as the river was just its usual roaring self.

One stoic soldier, who had become known as “uncle Sam”, worked twice as hard as the rest as he went up and down the line of beaten soldiers and even carried tired soldiers’ rifles. At some point, he was even seen to be carrying four rifles. The hardships Captain Sam Templeton now faced was a far-cry from his carpenter days back in his homeland; Ireland. It was also so different from his days on the H.M.S. Research during World War One with the British Navy. Templeton was a man respected by all who met him and all those under his command. While many of the other “thirty-nine liars” (those who lied about their age to be under the 39 age limit) had been unable to withstand the harsh tropics of Papua New Guinea, Sam had stayed and then earned the respect and admiration of his soldiers.

The battalion continued forward throughout the harsh conditions of day with a shaky promise of a meal at the end of it. Still, it was a goal and in these harsh conditions; a goal can see you through. The soldiers eventually reached the village of Myola, situated on a dry lake bed, which was been used as a forward supply depot and medical post. The soldiers passed a few of the patients been carried back to Port Moresby from here on their way up. There were talks, and some attempts, at cutting a landing strip for planes to evacuate the casualties but it was apparent that this was not to occur for a while yet.

It was another hard slog weighted down by up to 27 kilograms or more of equipment and packs to get to Templeton’s crossing. It involved climbing to the top of Mount Bellamy (at an altitude of 2190m) and then down the other side to reach Templeton’s crossing which at the time the 39^th Battalion first crossed it was just the Eora creek crossing. It was later named Templeton’s crossing in honour of Captain Sam Templeton and in remembrance of him.

It was on the 26^th of July 1942, near Oivi, that Captain Sam Templeton went missing, presumed dead and his body has never been found. Several soldiers heard the shots as their beloved Captain went back to retrieve the 16^th Battalion as back-up for their hold of Oivi and it was this that caused many to believe he was dead. It was later discovered through Japanese records that he had, in fact, been taking as a prisoner. One of his final acts saved many lives and assisted Australia greatly in achieving their victory over the Japanese. This act was making the Japanese believe that the Australian forces were ten times greater than they actually were. This gave pause to the Japanese and caused them to re-evaluate the situation; providing Australians valuable time. There is however, no doubt that, sadly, Captain Sam Templeton did not survive captivity. His folder now officially marked with ‘Believed Deceased on or after the 27^th of July 1942’ and his wife and four kids left with a hole in their hearts and home. His final acts of courage, mateship, endurance and sacrifice saved many lives and now, the portion of the track where Eora Creek crosses over the Kokoda trail is forever known as Templeton’s crossing.

However, the journey for the soldiers did not finish at Templeton’s crossing as they persevered over many more mountains and steep inclines to reach Eora Creek Village. There is no doubt that the Kokoda trail was tough for all and especially for those who never returned home. The values of courage, mateship, endurance and sacrifice which these soldiers embodied every day of the track is forever cemented in the history of the Kokoda trail and their sacrifice does not got missed. Without their continual acts of bravery, Australia would not be what it is today. Captain Sam Templeton, especially, is an Australian hero who will always be remembered. Lest we forget.

Just a reminder that this is a scheduled post and that I am away in Kokoda right now. See you tomorrow.

Daily Lukey: The Journey to 200 (Part 6)

So we have finally reached the end of this series which has been stretched out for longer than previously intended. We began September with a continuation of the Political Parties series followed by another late night post that was, and I quote, "Super Short and Super Sweet". The next day was the final post on the political parties of Australia which was followed by a post on getting distracted which, ironically, was distracting me from my homework. I then wrote another late night post with my reflection on our schools House Chorales competition. I then reminisced about what things used to be like before writing a list of characters who deserved their own show. Oh, the posts you can get away with when it is your own blog. I then wrote a post on Nature for some unknown reason before writing about how much of a sticky beak my family really is. I then wrote another post on fundraising before lamenting on how hard it is to effectively exercise with Sandy. I then complained about a disease I coined the "Song in Head" Disease. I then wrote a post on being gullible before reflecting on my Year 10 Formal. I then reflected on the Donations in Kind activity the Wyndham "Leaders of The Future" did with the Werribee Rotary. I then rejoiced as a fabled curse had been lifted which regarded Game Design and a runny noise.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireworks

I then went through some of my favourite songs in my playlist before discussing some awkward moments I often experience with others. I then went through my most popular tags (in terms of posts) before celebrating the start of the Holidays. The next day was a little more negative as I lamented that I was sick which was followed by another short post on weird advertisements. I then offered an explanation as to my recent spate of short posts before writing a post on judging things before you experience them. I then made the mistake of writing a post telling people to stop making so many Puns. I say mistake as for the rest of the holidays I was treated to a daily pun texted to me each day by one of my 'friends'. I then analysed the different types of tourists in Melbourne before realising my reliance on technology. I then went through the posts that appeared in my Facebook News Feed before marveling at some great discoveries. I finished the month of September with another short post written on my phone late at night. October began with a post on problems and the sheer amount of problems that we have. I then complained about disappointing sequels after watching Grown Ups 2 before displaying some random facts about me. I then started my new weekly segment titled "Random Thought Friday". Although that is so far the only post in this series because of my 200 posts celebration that I had. Be ready for another Random Thought Friday this Friday though. I then explained how I would always lose good ideas immediately after having them before giving my review of the movie Gravity. I then wrote a post on my first day back at school and how I wished every day were as relaxing as that one before writing a post on first impressions. From here I wrote a post on new addictions and their sources. I then complained about some annoying junk emails before reaching (and celebrating) my 200th Post. That was my journey to 200 posts!

Thank you all so much for your support. See you tomorrow!

Daily Lukey: The Journey to 200 (Part 2)

So if you missed yesterday's post, you can view it by clicking here. As well as being Part 1 of this celebratory series it was also my 200th Post on this Blog! To celebrate I am taking a journey through the 199 posts that lead up to the 200th. Here's hoping for another 200 posts to be on the way, let us begin. We left off at the end of April with  a post about how easy it is cause offence and am starting with the first post in May about pressure and the various sources from which we experience it. I spent the next day complaining about how I was supposed to have my braces off (in time for my Birthday) but instead had to have them tightened as my front teeth had moved more than they were supposed to so instead of a braces free night, I had to endure pains and a sleepless night, what fun.  I then talked about the different addictions people had followed by a post about whether people think anymore or if they just act. I then discussed the wonders of the French before bestowing unto you (did I really just write that) the horrible story-writing skills of the Maths Department in the first part of our Methods SAC. The next two days were all very positive as I was excited for my Birthday! In fact, the first post was excited and the second was Birthdays so you might have been able to guess that. I then finished the horrible story-line of our Methods SAC the following day.

Source: http://rheumination.typepad.com/

I then discussed the magic of Music before celebrating Mothers Day by writing about how much Mothers are important to us. I wrote about the magic of Books before I celebrated my 50th Post (how far I have come) by reflecting on my time so far as a Daily Blogger and how unexpected the growth of this blog was (it still amazes me so thank you readers, it means a lot to me that you bother reading what I write, it really does). I then spent yet another post complaining about Homework before providing one of my most popular posts of all time, studying tips. You guys really seemed to like my tips for studying for exams because it was the number one post on this blog for quite a while (yes, I do actually look at that). The next day I wrote about the benefits of sport before I got lazy the next day (ironically) and posted my English speech on why internet censorship is wrong. The next day I reflected on Sandy's experiences with the RSPCA Million Paws Walk before I wrote another one of my most popular posts about the start of the Language Perfect World Championships. This was actually one of the first times someone had actually shared my blog on their site and I did see a spike in views over the following days. I then complained about how hospitals just made you feel "sick" (for want of a better word) before I wrote a post about Competition and how some competition can be good for you while too much is not such a good thing. I then complained about the selfish act of violence followed by another rant on etiquette and how to many people it is stupid and how this annoys me (I was having an annoying weekend it seems). I then wrote another post on how to get the most out of study before I wrote a post about the wonder that is King Kong Live on Stage at Melbourne's Regent Theatre. I then wrote a post about distractions since I was so distracted when I was studying for exams. Then it came exam time and the following posts were about topics such as annoying things people do during exams, the stupid exam logic some people have and a celebration for the end of exams. That is the end of May and for this post. The next two parts will be coming out after a days break tomorrow to allow for some variety. Part 3 will be out on Monday and Part 4 on Tuesday. Part 5 will then be on Thursday and Part 6 (if necessary) will be out on Friday.

Thank you all so much for reading, sharing and supporting my blog, it really means a lot to me. See you tomorrow!

Advertisements

Have you ever driven somewhere and seen really 'interesting' advertisements? Have you ever watched a television show and then an entirely out-there advertisement comes out of the blue? Even some of the normal advertisements can be so annoying that you just love to hate them. The Rivers commercials are great examples of those advertisements where you have no idea what to think. That monotone of a voice-over just makes the whole thing really boring. There are many other advertisements out there that are just as bad, for want of a better word, in other areas outside of television commercials. Advertisements can really be interesting and, sometimes, very relatable.

Image Source: http://www.funofart.com/cool-informative-advertisements/

Sometimes the most interesting (and hilarious) advertisements are ones that are paired together often just by coincidence. This happens a lot with billboards where you have one advertisement and then, on the next billboard, there is another advertisement that fits in so well with the one before. It is sort of like when you switch between channels mid-sentence and the channel you changed to finished the sentence in an hilarious manner. Have you ever actually done that? It is actually pretty funny sometimes, especially with news bulletins and other shows put together. There were two billboards like what I talked about above a while ago as you come off the Westgate Bridge leaving the City. The first was a work safety advertisement with a little girl asking "Where's Daddy?" Then the next advertisement was a billboard advertising a men's club/lounge (basically a strip-lounge). It went together so well that it made for a few good memes on some of the Australian Facebook Pages. Then there are the all too relatable television commercials. These are the ones that present something meant to be ridiculous but you are actually able to think when that happened to you. This happened to me recently when there was an advertisement where a family was taking a photo together in their living room and then the dog bum-crawls across the scene with a look of ecstasy on his face. It reminded me so much of all the times Sandy has done that, it really was very sad. That is why advertisements can be so annoying and weird. Sometimes this can be because of where they are placed and sometimes it can be because the content is too damn relatable.

Advertisements can be very entertaining so always look on the bright side, see you tomorrow!