Saturday, May 26, 2012

Pioneer kiap (patrol officer) Lloyd Hurrell dies

Lloyd Hurrell, the last of the pre World War 11 kiaps (patrol officers) in New Guinea died peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Lloyd Hurrell,
His funeral will be at 11am on June 4, 2012 at Tweed Heads Crematorium.
Hurrell was the last of the pre WW11 kiaps- and one with an exemplary record.
Later a pioneer coffee-planter at Wau in the 1950s, he was one of the founders of the old Coffee Industry Board -  the boardroom at the present Coffee Industry Corporation building in Goroka is named after him.
Hurrell is survived by his wife and three children.
Son Don is one of the few AusAid consultants serving in PNG who can be said to have made a real difference by his presence ( as a police advisor in Goroka where Bob Cleland undoubtedly met him recently).
Hurrell had been in ill health since a fall resulting in a broken hip some months ago.
He remained weak and unwell after discharge from hospital and died peacefully, at home, last Tuesday afternoon.
In 1939, (Albert) Lloyd Hurrell applied for the position of cadet patrol officer advertised in Sydney newspapers.
After serving briefly as a kiap in New Guinea, Hurrell joined the Australian Military Forces in 1940.
 He was awarded the Military Cross for his actions on November 11,  1942 during fierce fighting after the recapture of Kokoda.

After WW11, Hurrell returned to kiap duties in New Guinea.
In 1950 he was appointed Acting District Officer of the Menyamya district, and was instructed to establish a new settlement at this remote post in the ‘uncontrolled’ area.
The following year, Hurrell was ordered to investigate a raid on the village of Kiatsong during which several people were killed.
While investigating the raid, Hurrell’s party was attacked.
 He fired a warning shot, which unfortunately killed one of the attacking men.
Hurrell resigned from his kiap duties in 1954, and established a farm and coffee plantation near Wau in the province of Morobe.
 He entered national politics in Papua New Guinea, and served for many years as President of the PNG Coffee Marketing Board.
 In 1969 Hurrell was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to the Board.

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