06 TSLIB
THURSDAY 23 MARCH 2023 TORRES NEWS
Waiben launch for six weeks of 80th TSLIB celebrations
Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart AO DSC with Regimental Sergeant Major - Army Warrant Officer Kim Felmingham NSC OAM, World War Two veteran Mr Awati Mau and members of Sarpeye (Charlie) Company, 51 FNQR at the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island, QLD. Photographer: LSIS Leo Baumgartner. Source: Department of Defence.
‘LIVING legend’ is an apt description of World War II veteran of the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion Private Awati Mau, who is one of only two surviving former members. A total of 880 men enlisted with the Battalion during WWII and there are just two survivors left – Private Mebai Warusam (Saibai Island) and Private Awati Mau (Bamaga) who now is a resident at the Star of the Sea Home for the Aged on TI. Mr Mau was a special VIP guest during two days of celebrations and commemoration on Waiben last Thursday and Friday, at which the 80th anniversary of the Light Infantry Battalion was honoured. It was an emotional event for Mr Mau as he watched from his wheelchair. The 80th Anniversary with activities which included an Open Day at Sarpeye Barracks and a ceremonial parade and service joined by the soldiers of 51st Battalion, The Far North Queensland Regiment’s (51 FNQR) Charlie (Sarpeye) Company through the streets of Thursday Island on Friday. The Army’s Far North Queensland Regiment’s (51
Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion
80th Anniversary FNQR) Charlie (Sarpeye) Company, partly traces its history back to the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion. Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart AO DSC joined 51 FNQR to lead the commemorations alongside local community members, veterans and community volunteers. “The dedication of the Torres Strait Light Infantry during our nation’s hour of need cannot be understated, setting an incredible example of service,” he said. “880 men – virtually all the men of military age in the Torres Strait at the time – volunteered to join the Battalion during World War II to defend their homes and their country. “As Australia’s only Indigenous battalion, their legacy is one of the most important features of the Australian Army’s enduring relationship with First Nations communities today.” Commanding Officer 51
FNQR, Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Schieb, paid tribute to the ongoing role of Indigenous peoples in the defence of Australia today. “The Torres Strait Islander soldiers of 51 FNQR are crosstrained in a variety of skills including small boat handling, tracking, combat first aid, weapons, patrolling, observation and survival,” he said. “These skills, coupled with their unrivalled local knowledge about the lands and waters of this region, provide a unique capability that is rooted in traditional First Nations customs, including tribal links, family relationships and a deep connection to country.” Lieutenant Colonel Schieb said that many of the 51 FNQR soldiers were descendents of veterans from the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion, extending a long history of association with the Australian Army. ”This is a proud legacy we celebrate and highlight to current and future generations of Australians,” he said. The Light Infantry (1942-46) was Australia’s only Indigenous Army Battalion and was formed to defend the far north from a possible Japanese invasion.
Pic Belinda Mason.
Pic Philemon Mosby, TSIRC.
ABOVE and RIGHT – Pics Philemon Mosby, TSIRC.
ABOVE: An Australian Army soldier from Sarpeye (Charlie) Company, 51 FNQR dressed in traditional Torres Strait Islander clothing mounts the Cenotaph during the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island, QLD. LEFT: Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart AO DSC lays a wreath at the Thursday Island War Memorial during the Torres Strait Island Light Infantry Battalion 80th anniversary ceremony held at Thursday Island, QLD. Both pics – Photographer: LSIS Leo Baumgartner. Source: Department of Defence.
Pic supplied NPARC.
Pic supplied TSC.
Pic Philemon Mosby, TSIRC.
Pic Philemon Mosby, TSIRC.
