Unassuming WW11 commando presented with message of thanks

APRIL 8, 2016: THE stories that Mackay man Joe Wills can tell about his service during the Second World War have been heard by very few people.That’s because this unassuming man chose to stay quiet about his experiences as a commando fighting the Japanese in New Guinea.The 93-year-old has clearly not had the recognition he deserved though I was able to rectify that in some small measure this week by presenting Joe with a Certificate of Appreciation. Mr Wills joined the 2/3 Commando Squadron while serving with the 8th Pioneers at Gatton in 1942. At the time he volunteered for the squadron, Joe admitted he didn’t know what a commando was but figured it has to be better than being a Pioneer (who undertook a lot of dirty, smelly labouring tasks).The extent of his commitment became painfully clear on January 31, 1942, when Mr Wills was among 300 men who were flown into the highland village of Wau, landing in the middle of a Japanese attack.They jumped out of the plane and straight into their first battle. Almost two years later at the end of 1943 when his squadron left the New Guinea highlands, just 34 of the original 300 men were left.However that was not the end of service in New Guinea for Joe Wills. In late 1944 he returned to continue the fight, joining the 2/10 Commando Squadron.Even after the war had ended, Joe continued the fight as the news had not reached the Japanese hiding in the jungle. It took a series of leaflet drops to eventually get the message through and the Japanese surrendered.Joe’s story would have remained a secret were it not for some coaxing from a friend Phil Bensted.Just a year ago Mr Bensted encouraged Joe to apply for his war medals. He also put in the application for a Certificate of Appreciation from the Department of Veterans Affairs in recognition of his Second World War service.“We owe a debt of thanks we can never repay to men such as Joe Wills, and it was a pleasure to pay him a surprise visit this week to present this Certificate of Appreciation.On behalf of all residents of Mackay, and in fact our entire country, I do indeed say ‘Joe, thank you’.You can read some of Joe’s story online at www.unclejoe.net