Politicians join family’s fight to repatriate Parkdale Digger Lance Corporal Paul Denehey

The family of a Parkdale soldier killed by a rogue elephant while serving overseas in 1965 has spent decades trying to bring his body home. But after years of government inaction, their appeals for help are finally being heard.

Sheri Gigliotti and her niece Jade Denehey are pleading for the remains of their brother and uncle Paul Denehey to be repatriated to Australia.

A Parkdale family’s bid to have the body of their brother returned to Australia is gaining momentum, with two politicians joining the fight.

Leader last month revealed the plight of Lance Corporal Paul Denehey’s family, who have been pleading with the Office of Australian War Graves to have his body brought home to Australia for years.

Now, La Trobe federal Liberal MP Jason Wood has promised to raise the issue with the Minister for Veterans Affairs Darren Chester and “work closely with the family”.

His support comes after Sandringham Liberal MP Brad Rowswell wrote to the Office of War Graves highlighting the case.

Lance Corporal Paul Denehey was killed during overseas service in Borneo.

Lance-Cpl Denehey, who was a signaller in the Special Air Service from 1962 to 1965, died after a rogue elephant gored him during a four-man patrol in Borneo.

He was buried in Ulu Pandan Cemetery in Singapore and relocated to Kranji Cemetery in 1975.

In the young soldier’s last letter to his mother Kathleen, which she received shortly before his death, he wrote “I detest this place in comparison to the good old Aussie”.

His mother died in 1994, and his sister Sheri Gigliotti said it was their mum’s dying wish that her son’s remains would come home.

Ms Gigliotti, of Emerald, said a letter was sent to her parents offering them three options for his body, with one being repatriation.

Lance Corporal Paul Denehey marching with the Special Air Service (SAS).

She said the letter, which had since been lost, was sent from the Commonwealth War Graves in England on September 8, 1975, requiring a response by October 31, but was received by the family a month after the closing date.

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She said her family was still waiting for answers.

“All we have wanted is justice after all these years and we hope to hear some good news soon,” she said.

Mr Rowswell has said given the sacrifice made by Lance-Cpl Denehey, “his family’s desire for repatriation of his remains should be afforded the upmost respect”.

A Department of Veterans’ Affairs spokesman said it was a deeply sensitive matter for the family.

“We continue to examine the information provided by the Denehey family in support of their request,” he said.

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