30 November 2013
AUSTRALIA HONOURS GOVERNOR GENERAL’S FATHER WITH MEDAL
Solomon Islands Governor General Sir Frank Kabui’s father has been honoured with a Solomon Islands Scouts and Coastwatchers Commemorative Medallion award in recognition of his contribution to the Guadalcanal Campaign during World War II in Solomon Islands.
The medal was handed over by Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Matt Anderson in a brief ceremony at Government House in Honiara. Mr Anderson, who finishes his posting next month, was paying his farewell courtesy call on the Governor General. He was accompanied by the Australian Defence Attache in Solomon Islands, Commander Geoff Turner.
The late Michael Frank Kabui was trained by British personnel on Tulagi and later assisted the British and Americans to ambush a Japanese camp in Afufu, North Malaita in 1942. He also witnessed some of the heavy fighting of the battle of Guadalcanal between Ngella and Guadalcanal.
The late Kabui’s contribution in assisting the Americans and the Allied Forces was finally recognised 71 years later.
While presenting the medal to the Governor General, Mr Anderson said the Australian Department of Defence commissioned the Solomon Islands Scouts and Coastwatchers to the Guadalcanal Campaign during the Second World War.
“The Solomon Islands Scouts and Coastwatchers provided invaluable assistance to the Allied forces, looking for signs of attack from hostile forces. They performed a vital role in guerrilla operations and intelligence gathering for Australia, sacrificing their personal safety for that of our region,” Mr Anderson said.
“This medal is in recognition for the services rendered by your father, the late Michael Frank Kabui to the country and the region as a whole.”
Receiving the medal and thanking the High Commissioner, Sir Frank Kabui said “I will be keeping this medal in memory of my father and his service to the country during World War II.”
The Australian Government would like to award the Solomon Islands Scouts and Coastwatchers Commemorative Medallion to surviving family members of the Solomon Island Scouts and Coastwatchers who served during the Guadalcanal Campaign in recognition of acts done in service of the Allied war effort. Application forms are available from the Australian High Commission, corner Mud Alley and Hibiscus Avenue.