Kokoda Historical: Militaria


Collecting Militaria can be a fun and exciting hobby. More importantly it is a hobby that can help preserve history. Most collectors become experts in their particular field and contribute to the preservation and research of Australian military heritage. Both David and Gary are keen collectors, often incorporating their personal collections into their public speaking roles. Below you will find a few choice examples from their collections.
Front and rear view of a soldier from the 2/14 Battalion cira 1942.
This mannequin is wearing Khaki Drill shorts and shirt and the famous Australian Slouch Hat with the colour patch of the 2/14th Battalion, one of the famous units that fought as part of the 21st Brigade on the Kokoda Track. As you can see this uniform is not the best colour to wage war in the jungle. He is also wearing a basic set of Pattern 1937 webbing and carrying a pack with helmet. He is also armed with a MK*III SMLE .303 and is carrying extra ammunition around his shoulder. This is pretty much what your average Australian rifleman looked like at the early part of the Kokoda Campaign.
Left and right side of the famous Australian Slouch Hat. This hat is an original 1942 dated Slouch that belonged to a member of the 2/14th. Note the colour patch worn on the pugaree.
WWII Australian Mess Tin. This example is dated 1942 and is named to SX7929 who served in the 2/27th Battalion on the Kokoda Track. Captured Japanese Flag. This example was captured by C Company 13 Platoon of the 2/2nd Battalion on the 2nd of March 1945 at Simbi Creek. There are 24 names and numbers from this platoon including 4 who were killed in this action. First World War 9th Light Horse Uniform. This entire unifrom belonged to 199 Farr Sgt Taylor of A Squad. He was a South Australian. This uniform is dated 1917 & 1918. This mannequin displays the standard Pattern 1903 Webbing including a hooked quillion bayonet. He is also wearing a lanyard that has a whistle attached inside his left pocket, also note the small pocket knife which is located on the right hand side of his belt. Front and rear view of a WWI Australian soldier. This example displays the Victorian 5th Battalion AIF, he is wearing the Pattern 1908 Mills Webbing equipment. He is also carrying his mess tin on top of his large pack which also has a Brodie Helmet attached. On the front of his uniform he is wearing a British Small Box Respirator (Gas Mask).

Trek Dates

30 Jul – 10 Aug 2010:
Kokoda Track Tour

27 Jul – 10 Aug 2010:
Kokoda Track + Beachheads Tour

20 Sept – 1 Oct 2010:
Kokoda Track Tour

20 Sept – 4 Oct 2010:
Kokoda Track + Beachheads Tour

25 Oct – 5 Nov 2010:
Kokoda Track Tour

25 Oct – 8 Nov 2010:
Kokoda Track + Beachheads Tour

Tour Dates for 2011

Polls

The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels played a fundamental role in the Kokoda Campaign. What was the estimated average weight that each Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel carried?

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Testimonials

Kokoda Historical: Graham, Michael, Robert and Scott Rosengreen.

We haven't stopped talking about the Kokoda trek since we arrived home. We can't thank you enough David for the wonderful experience you gave us. Your knowledge of the track, the people, and in particular our wonderful military history on the Kokoda track and other battles in PNG is outstanding.
I couldn't imagine doing the trek and not knowing of the lost battlefields that you filled in for us so professionally. Our main reason for going to Kokoda was to walk in the footsteps, pay homage and acknowledge the extreme sacrifice of so many young men who willingly gave their lives for us.
We couldn't have done it without your expertise, and the friendliness and support of the Legends. Thank you so much, Graham, Michael, Robert and Scott Rosengreen.

Kokoda Historical: Shane Aubrey

I want to thank you (David) for a fantastic trip, your entertainment and knowledge of the battle sites was of the highest professional standard I have encountered for many a year. The trek was without question the hardest and most exciting, thrilling trip I have ever been on and I have been on many deployment etc.

Without a doubt we all have a much higher respect for the diggers who served on the track. What those guys endured we will never fully comprehend. To have a taste of what life must have been like, puts our normal dull life back into perspective and something that will always remain with us.

I am so charged after the trip, I feel that I need to go on another adventure ASAP. David, thank you and your troops, they are all excellent ambassadors for your company and it shows that you have a well trained crew of professionals.

Shane Aubrey, July 2009
Business Development Manager

Kokoda Historical: Sean Teasdale, Australian Air Force

I would firstly like to thank the whole team at Kokoda Historical for making my trip one of the best things that I have done in my life to date. The professionalism shown by the team along the track was amazing and the knowledge of all members is to be commended. Gary was a wealth of knowledge and seemed to just love every minute of the track and the history that went along with that. But easily one of the best things about the track was Gary's relationship with the legends which led in turn to all of us being able to bond with the legends, which by the looks of things many other tour groups missed out on. I would definitely recommend Kokoda Historical to any friends and family that were looking to trek the Kokoda Track.

Kokoda Historical: Anthony Fuster

Just wanted to thank and to congratulate Kokoda Historical on the fantastic trip that I had! The organisation was exceptional and our tour guide Gary was superb! His knowledge and passion for the history of track meant that I didn't just leave having walked the track, but left with huge appreciation and awe of those who trekked before in such harsh and treacherous conditions. You know you have a good tour guide on your hands when other tour groups stop to listen in on the background and significance of certain parts of the track!

Our group was also fantastic. Being a part of such a small and cohesive unit meant that we were able to bond more closely then we would have been able to had the group been larger. Although Michael was the only one not from ADFA who was in our group, the humour and common appreciation that we shared meant that we gelled quickly!

Finally I'd like to thank the Legends! Those young men are fantastic and are a testament to those who walked the track before them. The passion they showed for their job made it that much more enjoyable.

Kokoda Historical: Gavin Wright RAAF

Gavin Wright, RAAF

What a wonderful trip, the best and hardest thing I have under taken in all of my 40 years. Dave is a wealth of knowledge on the Kokoda war history as well as local history and current Papua issues. His great sense of humour and attitude kept everyone’s spirits high and helped you forget how hard the day’s walk really was. The legends that walked with us were just that “LEGENDS”. ANZAC day was one of the most moving I have ever attended; Isurava Memorial is very spiritual and picturesque at dawn and the perfect location with all of its history to hold a dawn service. ANZAC day is also a very special and memorable to the Papuans. I will be doing the track again and taking two of my sons next time. Thank you very much for the journey Kokoda Historical.

Read about Gavin's Kokoda Historical Tattoo here!