Private Waal Waal Ngakyunkwokka honoured in Canberra for WWII service

An Indigenous Aurukun veteran was honoured at the Australian War Memorial on Tuesday, for his dedicated service in the Far North during World War II.

Australian War Memorial Indigenous liaison officer Michael Bell places a poppy beside the name of Private Ngakyunkwokka on the Roll of Honour. Picture: Supplied / Australian War Memorial

An Indigenous Aurukun veteran has been honoured at the Australian War Memorial for his dedicated service in the Far North during World War II.

Private Waal Waal Ngakyunkwokka, also known as Private Charlie Bob Ngakyunkwokka, was commemorated at a Last Post Ceremony in Canberra on Tuesday, May 27, to mark the beginning of National Reconciliation Week.

Private Ngakyunkwokka was born on January 7, 1912, at the Aurukun Presbyterian Mission.

He enlisted for service with the Australian Army on September 13, 1943 and joined the 2nd Australian Water Transport Group, before being transferred to the 14th Australian Water Transport Operating Company.

During WWII, Private Ngakyunkwokka piloted Army vessels in the Torres Strait and Gulf of Carpentaria, and was responsible for moving personnel and stores between ships, flying boats and the shore.

Australian War Memorial Indigenous liaison officer Michael Bell beside Private Ngakyunkwokka’s name on the Roll of Honour. Picture: Supplied / Australian War Memorial

In March 1945, he was transferred to the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion, “one of the very few racially segregated units in Australia’s history,” AWM historian Dr Thomas Rogers said.

Shortly after, he contracted influenza while on leave at Aurukun, and died of pneumonia on April 20, 1945, aged 33.

He was buried at the Aurukun Mission Cemetery, “where his is the only war grave,” the AWM said.

Last Post Ceremonies share the story behind one of the 103,000 names on the AWM’s Roll of Honour, and are researched and written by the AWM’s military historians.

They are held every day except Christmas Day, and to date more than 4100 ceremonies have taken place.

“Through our daily Last Post Ceremony, we not only acknowledge where and how these men and women died. We also tell the stories of who they were when they were alive, and of the families who loved and, in so many cases, still mourn for them,” AWM director Matt Anderson said.

Originally published as Private Waal Waal Ngakyunkwokka honoured in Canberra for WWII service