Remarkable Anzac tale

By GYNNIE KERO
THIS picture tells a rather strange but moving tale that blends a wartime story of tragedy, romance, bravery and faithfulness.
Australian James Walker is (seen above) before the grave of his grandmother’s former boyfriend, 24-year-old Lt Edward Money.
Money was “best mates” with Walker’s grandfather, Don Simonson, when both served with the 39th Battalion in 1942. At that time, Money told Simonson that should anything happen to him, he wanted his friend to ensure his fiancé was well cared for.
In June 1942 during the bombing of Port Moresby by Japanese aircraft, Money was killed.
Simonson met up with Money’s fiancé after the war and eventually married her.
Walker walked the Kokoda Track for the past nine days to get into Port Moresby to see the grave of his grandmother’s boyfriend and his grandfather’s best mate who had kept true to a friend’s request.
While many Australians around the world commemorated Anzac Day yesterday, it was an emotional journey for Walker.
He was spotted yesterday among the rows of graves at the Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby, during the Anzac Day service.
He recalled the story of a young Edward Money, his grandfather Don Simonson and grandmother, May. According to Walker, Money’s fiancé was his grandmother, May.
In an unfortunate turn of events, 24-year-old Lt Money was unloading a ship (mv Macdhui) at the Port Moresby Harbour when the Japanese blew up the ship in June 1941.
According to the Anzac Portal, the Burns Philp liner mv Macdhui carried an Australian crew and traded between Sydney and PNG during the 1930’s. Macdhui also evacuated women and children from Rabaul in East New Britain just ahead of the Japanese occupation.
During the war, the ship was taken over by the Australian government and used to transport troops and supplies for the defence of New Guinea. Japanese aircraft attacked the Macdhui in Port Moresby on June 17, 1942 while members of the 39th Battalion were unloading aviation fuel from her hold.
The ship suffered a direct hit that killed four men. The next day the Japanese bombers returned destroying the ship’s steering gear. And when fire razed through the ship, the crew was told to abandon ship.
Walker, when paying his respects to late Money yesterday, said: “If he had not died, I wouldn’t be here. My grandfather went on to marry his (Money’s) fiancé (May) after the war.
“After walking from Isurava (Northern) where my grandfather was shot and wounded, I am not sure how long he took to get back there. His left hip was badly wounded. He was on pain relief, he got back to Port Moresby and they had to dress the wound. He survived until he was 93.
“After my grandfather was wounded, he returned to Australia, caught up with Edward Money’s fiancé, shared the difficult news and they kept in touch.
“When he finished serving in the war in 1946, he married my grandmother.” Walker pointed out the Military Cross he was wearing and explained that his grandfather received it for bravery.
“Under machine gun fire, he stormed two Japanese machine gun bunkers and threw grenades to nullify the Japanese. Maybe eight or 10 Japanese soldiers were killed.”
Walker is expected to fly back to Singapore today after a fulfilling trip to the country.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said at Isurava yesterday, that “625 Australians were killed on the Kokoda Track. Of those 99 fell in the battle of Isurava and 111 more were wounded. And we remember and honour each of them this morning”.