On 7th June 2010 David Moffatt, Brian Freeman, John Jacoby and Chris Bradford embark on a Journey to the Lost Battlefields of Kokoda. The 1200km adventure epic comprises three stages on mountain bikes, sea kayak and foot, all completed simultaneously. The mountain bike route begins at Cape Tribulation following approximately 880kms on unmade roads and tracks to “the tip” of Cape York. We then sea kayak across Torres Strait from Australia, approximately 220kms reaching Papua New Guinea, before the final leg of the trek crossing the Kokoda track.
Our charitable goal is to raise funds for ‘The Lost Battlefield Trust” including the re-establishment and preservation (as it was in 1942) of a significant battle site and the provision of a community welfare package for local villagers on the track (health, sanitation, water, education and vocational training). This initiative will be undertaken in conjunction with and complimentary to, the current Australian Government and PNG Government “Kokoda Initiative”.
“The overarching objectives for the Lost Battlefield Trust will be to improve the health, living conditions and employment prospects for the Alola villagers and to re-instate the site in dedication to the Australians and Japanese soldiers who fought and fell there during 1942.”
The Lost Battlefield marks the site where the battle of Eora Creek took place. It was discovered on 23 April 2010 during a trek with Brian Freeman and myself. A total of 79 Australians and 69 Japanese died at the Lost Battlefield and it is our hope that some of those soldiers currently listed as Missing Presumed Killed in Action will be identified and can be returned home for burial. Our inaugural trek uncovered remnants of a make-shift Japanese hospital, guns and ammunition and fallen soldiers. We then returned to the site Saturday 29 May with General Peter Cosgrove, Alola Villager Kila Elave and Mike Munro accompanied by a Channel 7 television crew.
Further information about the Lost Battlefield can be found here.
The Lost Battlefield Trust
The Lost Battlefield Trust is dedicated to the Australian and Japanese Soldiers who fought and fell there during 1942. Its charter is to fund the re-establishment of “The Japanese Hospital” and “The Lost Battlefield” as they were on 29th October 1942, provide maintenance of the site and fund a “community development program” for the benefit of Alola Village and the local community including, but not limited to, programs for clean water; sanitation; health and vaccination; education and vocational training.
Donate to The Lost Battlefield project via GiveNow to help the team raise funds. Any donation you can give would be greatly appreciated. All donations are tax deductible.
The Team
Meet the team of self-funded participants who are taking part in this Journey to the Lost Battlefields of Kokoda.
Brian Freeman
Brian Freeman is founding partner and CEO of Brisbane based adventure company Executive Excellence. He also established the exclusive Adventure 35 adventure group. Brian Freeman has served with the Australian Regular Army for over 20 years.
“Our priority is to identify and repatriate the fallen soldiers and to honour their memory by ensuring all other elements remain intact and untouched.”
John Jacoby
John is the founder and principal shareholder in Rapid Assent a leading Adventure Event Company based in Jan Juc Victoria.
Chris Bradford
Chris is the National Sales Manager for 2XU, one of Australia’s fastest growing sports performance apparel brands.
Recent Press about The Lost Battlefield of Kokoda
- CNN – Lost WWII battlefield found – war dead included
- ABC – Kokoda trekker finds soldiers’ bodies
- Frontier India – The Lost Battlefield of the Kokoda Campaign Discovered After 68 Years
- Boys’ Life – Battlefield Found
- The Poor Mouth – A lost battlefield
- The Star – Jungle battlefield ‘lost’ for 68 years discovered
- PR Newswire – The Lost Battlefield of the Kokoda Campaign Discovered After 68 Years
