War veteran visits Situm

 NORM Ensor, 90, the last surviving member of the Australian Army’s Seventh Division who served in World War II, recently visited the school his platoon initiated and built after the war.

As part of the celebrations of the division’s 70th jubilee, Ensor visited the Seventh Australian Division Memorial School at Situm, Nawaeb district.

He was part of the division’s delegation who brought equipment for the school and medical supplies for the Situm health centre.

He was joined by the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Papua New Guinean servicemen in paying tribute to all the fallen members.

Ensor was accompanied by his grandson Jason Gunton and Judie Stephens, whose uncle was Sqdr Cmdr John Jackson and members of the Rotary Club of Lae Huon Gulf.

Port Moresby’s airport is named after Jackson.

It was a historical moment for more than 2,000 descendants of PNG servicemen now residing in the Situm area, with many family representatives turning up with war medals.

The Seventh Division servicemen built the school at the request of their PNG comrades who served alongside them. It is the only school in the country built by Australian soldiers who served in the war.