It is a very sad moment in the history of the Kokoda Trail. For the last Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel of the Koiarian people has joined the final parade and taken his place in heaven where angels gather.
Ovoru Idiki is just as much a part of the Kokoda story as the Australian diggers he served with. His name was immortalised in print when Robyn Kienzle recorded his actions as relayed to her by Bert Kienzle and husband Soc in ‘The Architect of Kokoda’. Page 154 confirms that Indiki was one of the men who backed Bert Kienzle during the very dangerous August period when the Japanese seemed unstoppable and were advancing towards Port Moresby.
IMAGE RIGHT: He has been awarded the honour of Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel, but Ovoru Indiki once served “The Architect of Kokoda” legend Bert Kienzle as a trusted shooting boy. Ovoru Indiki is photographed here with Kokoda trekker Lee Gallagher in 2008. He is wearing the 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-1945 War Medal and 1939-1945 Australia Service Medal. Sadly, these were a gift from a trekker and were not officially awarded by the Australian Government as they should have been.
Ovoru was always very pleased to greet Kokoda trekkers. His broad grin and kind words spoke of his love for Australians. I was particularly honoured to be present in 2011 when he and Soc Kienzle were reunited and reminisced in the Motu language.
You will be sorely missed Ovoru Indiki. However, I have little doubt that you will be welcomed at the Pearly Gates by a thousand native carriers and a whole battalion of men and it will be their turn to carry you on their shoulders.
Please CLICK HERE to register your condolences to the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels Facebook page.
About gary
Gary Traynor is the volunteer Administrator of the Militaria based website MEDALSGONEMISSING. The aim of this "NOT FOR PROFIT" website is to reunite families, with lost War Medals and other items of militaria. Anything from medals to items of uniform. What Gary refers to as their "lost heritage". He has been actively involved in the Militaria world and researching of Military History for well over 30 years. As a result, Gary also conducts valuations and offers advice on all items of militaria. He has acted as advisor to a number of television and Foxtel productions; including Sir Tony Robinson's "Tour of Duty" series which featured on the History Channel. Gary is a field historian and conducts tours to Gallipoli, The Western Front, Kokoda and many other major battle sites around the world. He was a member of the Australian Army Reserve (UNSWR & 4/3 RNSWR) and served for 23 years with the New South Wales Police Force. He is perhaps the only person who has been employed at the Australian War Memorial in all three capacities .... as a volunteer, part time and full time employee .... starting as a qualified tour guide, working in the public galleries as an Information Assistant and finally Assistant Curator in Military Heraldry & Technology.
Medalsgonemissing is a website that will assist you in locating your family's lost war medals and other awards. If you have an ancestor who served in any of the British Commonwealth Armed Services at any time - and whose medals are lost/stolen or simply missing....then so long as the medals are out there - this site will help you to locate them.
However the site also contains articles of interest in relation to Military History, War Memorials & Uniforms / kit. Please explore our website as there is sure to be something of interest to you.
IMAGE RIGHT: He has been awarded the honour of Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel, but Ovoru Indiki once served “The Architect of Kokoda” legend Bert Kienzle as a trusted shooting boy. Ovoru Indiki is photographed here with Kokoda trekker Lee Gallagher in 2008. He is wearing the 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-1945 War Medal and 1939-1945 Australia Service Medal. Sadly, these were a gift from a trekker and were not officially awarded by the Australian Government as they should have been.
