The Story of the Sepik River Man

My grandfather, Harold Rusbridge, who was a marine engineer, told a remarkable story about his experience while stationed in Queensland, Australia towards and just after the end of World War II in 1945. He had damaged his eyesight when a piece of metal flew from an aeroplane runway and into his left eye. Whilst recuperating in Holland Park Military Hospital he met an extraordinary character, Sgt. Major Yauwiga, a Sepik River man and member of the New Guinea Native Police.

Yauwiga had worked with astounding courage behind Japanese lines on Bougainville, providing the Allies with invaluable information about enemy movements. He was decorated for the bravery he displayed throughout the War, winning a Loyalty Medal at Guadalcanal, the 1939-45 Star and Pacific Star ribbons and a recommendation for the Military Medal.

Around the same time as my grandfather incurred his injury, Sgt. Major Yauwiga suffered a similar yet far more serious eye injury. He mistook a phosphorous bomb for a smoke bomb and the subsequent explosion severed his left hand and left him blind. He was taken to Holland Park for treatment and on November 3, 1945 he underwent a cornea transplant operation - the first time this surgery had taken place at the hospital.

Slowly but surely Yauwiga's eyesight improved and my grandfather used to spend many hours talking to him and helping him test his vision by various means, such as holding up his fingers and asking him how many he could see, or writing words on paper for him to try and read.

My grandfather never forgot the amazing willpower Yauwiga showed. The same fighting spirit and strength of character that helped him stay one step ahead of the Japanese was now being utilised again on his long journey to recovery.

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