British minister pays respect

 A BRITISH government minister yesterday attended a memorial service for British servicemen at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Bomana, Port Moresby.

Hugo Swire, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minster of State joined other dignitaries to commemorate the 440 British servicemen laid to rest there. 

Of the the 440, only Lt -Col CV Ferry, Royal Army Service Corps and Wing Officer KC Bevan of the Royal Air Force were identified.

The other 338 were from the Royal Artillery. They were captured by the Japanese during the fall of Singapore.

They were originally buried on the island of Bailale in the Solomon Islands, moved to a temporary war cemetery at Torokina on Bougainville Island before being finally laid at  Bomana.  

Swire said it was a great honour and privilege to represent the British government in commemorating the brave men who served the country.

 Also buried there were 351 Australians, 40 Papuans and six New Zealand servicemen.

Swire leaves the country tomorrow.