2014 Remembrance Day in Papua New Guinea: 23 July, 2014

Remembrance Day in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is observed every July 23rd to remember the members of the nation's armed forces who participated during World War One, World War Two, and in general peacekeeping and law and order engagements within PNG and abroad.

The history of Papua New Guinea's armed forces began during its colonial era of the late 1800's when the nation was split into two protectorates: British Papua and German New Guinea.

Local militias were formed to maintain law and order among the native population within the colonial administrations. Records of native Papua New Guineans who served during World War One are extremely few. However, records of European settlers can be found in national memorials and war cemeteries, especially the Bita Paka Cemetery in Rabaul, East New Britain Province.

World War Two had a huge and devastating impact on the territories following the end of World War One that after which had become British-Australian Protectorates but remained separate as the Territory of Papua and the Territory of New Guinea.
Local militias especially the Royal Papuan Constabulary (RPC) and the Papuan Infantry Battalion (PIB) made up of settlers and natives were formed to not only maintain law and order but to prepare for the threat of World War Two that was now encroaching on the Pacific.

The famous World War Two campaigns that took place in Papua New Guinea were the Kokoda Campaign, the Battle of Rabaul, the Battle of Milne Bay, the Salamaua-Lae Campaign and the Admiralty Campaign - all of which left a devastating effect on the population - natives and settlers.

Following the World Wars many Papua New Guineans served in the Vietnam War and in the civil war on Bougainville, as well as other peacekeeping missions around the world.
Initially, Papua New Guineans held Remembrance Services of their fallen soldiers during ANZAC Day, April 25th - however the government wanted especial recognition of its own native soldiers and therefore set aside July 23rd as a national day to commemorate their soldiers.

ANZAC Day is still observed in Papua New Guinea but it is no longer a national day.  Major services are held at the Bomana War Cemetery near Port Moresby, at the Alotau Memorial in Milne Bay Province and at Bita Paka Memorial and War Cemetery in East New Britain.
In 2014, the main Remembrance Day service will be held on Wednesday, 23rd July at the Remembrance Park along Healy Road on the Ela Beach Esplanade at 7:00am.