LTAF - Trekking Kokoda in the Footsteps of Our Great-Grandfather

Rovers Ryan and Kyle, alongside Scout Leader Donna from Scouts Queensland, trekked the Kokoda Track from 25 April to 5 May 2025 on a deeply personal and historically significant journey through Papua New Guinea. Their expedition was undertaken to commemorate ANZAC Day at the Bomana War Cemetery, learn about the Kokoda campaign fought between 21 July and 13 November 1942, and honour the service of their great-grandfather, who served in Papua New Guinea from July 1943 to May 1944.

As they trekked through villages, jungle terrain, mountain ranges, and memorial sites along the Kokoda Track, the group gained a deeper understanding of the hardships endured by Australian soldiers during the campaign. They learned about the vital role of the “Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels” — Papua New Guinean locals who courageously carried wounded soldiers to safety and helped transport food, supplies, and ammunition through incredibly difficult conditions.

A Personal Journey

The journey also took them to the northern beach battlefields of Buna and Sanananda, where they explored abandoned Japanese bunkers, wartime relics, and memorial sites while learning about the brutal fighting that occurred there between November 1942 and January 1943. During a visit to the Buna Museum, local guides helped identify the location of an Australian Government military supply base believed to be where Donna’s great-grandfather, Eugene William Arthur de Pelsenaire (“Bill”), served between 1943 and 1944.

Travelling by local “banana boat” along the coastline, the Patrol stopped at the small village of Roriro and walked ashore to a large concrete slab – the remains of the former military building where Bill is believed to have served. At 11:12am on 3 May 2025, granddaughter Donna and great-grandsons Kyle and Ryan stood on the very ground where their great-grandfather had stood more than 80 years earlier. Bill completed 897 days of service during World War II and earned four service medals: the 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal 1939-45, and Australian Service Medal 1939–45. Donna carried replica medals belonging to her grandfather across the Kokoda Track in his honour throughout the expedition.

Culture Exchange

Alongside the historical significance of the journey, the group also experienced the warmth and culture of the local Papua New Guinean communities. Local villagers welcomed the trekkers into their communities, shared stories, held markets showcasing handmade crafts and wartime artefacts, and performed traditional music and dancing that gave the group a deeper appreciation for the culture and hospitality of the people of Papua New Guinea.

Before the Expedition

Preparing for Kokoda required months of responsible planning and risk management. Before departing, the Patrol researched the campaign extensively through documentaries, podcasts, books, and films, while also carefully selecting equipment and working with an experienced trekking company to ensure they were well prepared. Physical preparation played a major role, with participants undertaking hiking, endurance, and strength training to reduce the risk of injury and improve their ability to cope with the demanding conditions of the track.

Leadership Development Opportunities

Leadership on Kokoda extended far beyond theory or classroom learning – it meant remaining calm and dependable so others could anchor themselves to you, checking in on struggling trekkers, carrying extra weight when needed, and offering encouragement when exhaustion, cold, and wet conditions tested morale. The experience strengthened skills in adaptability, empathy, teamwork, decision-making under pressure, resilience, and supporting others who may not yet recognise their own leadership potential.