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Hello Gail,
As part of the wider Kokoda community, I have been quite depressed by the events that have unfolded this week. That these people have lost their lives while embarking on what would have been a wonderful experience, doesn't seem fair.
To learn that Russell has lost his brother makes it all that more shocking. Please pass onto Russell our deepest condolences and our hope that he and his family will recover from this loss. I did not know Kingsley, but certainly knew Grace as a fixture at the Kokoda airstrip.
Please look after yourselves,
Croll.Dear Gail,
Sadly the last time we communicated it was my brother's death from cancer , the only good thing that I can gleam from that was I can feel some of the pain that Russell is feeling.
On behalf of all the trekkers that I have taken with me to PNG my heart and theirs go out to Russell and his family . Words at this time don't cover the grief that everyone is feeling but please pass on to Russell and Ross our sincere condolences.
Peter Holles
peter_holles_grp.jpgTo the Eoro family,
Very sad to hear of your loss. Kingsley was a generous and kind host to our small group of trekkers in October 2006. With dignity Grace and family fed and helped us on our long trek south. Thankyou to the Eoro family for your hospitality. Now with your tragic loss Kingsley is remembered as a kind gentle man by all those he has helped along the way….Tony NevilleDear Gail,
I was incredibly saddened to hear of the news, and I would like to ask you to please pass on my sympathy to John, Russell and the rest of the family for their loss. My heart goes out to them at this time,
Marisa Greenway
Trek 225
marissa_greenway.jpegDear Gail,
Tom, Charlie and I would like you and the Eroro family to know that we are thinking of you all in the great sadness and loss you have all just experienced. We remember with pleasure and affection the family members who looked after us in their homes at Buna and Kokoda and those who helped us journey along the Kokoda Track. We know this will be a very difficult time for you all. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy.
I have attached a photo from our trek 328A of our group at Isurava and would be pleased if you could post our message and the photo.in your Forum. I registered on it tonight and although I would have been able to post a message (I think), I couldn't see how to attach a photo. I thought that if I sent the message and the photo with this email, that you might be able to do it for me please; I hope so.
Sincerely for Tom, Chas and me,
John Nairn.PS Our Trek dates were 8th to 17th October, 2007, and it was led by Johnsford.
2679Tce_resized.jpgHello Gail and friends, I have just learned that Kingsley has perished in the recent crash. It comes as a shock even though it is several years since I walked with the team. Kingsley was the leader of our trek. Please pass our deepest sympathy to Grace and the family, our prayers are with you in this difficult time.
Regards and condolences
Graham & Bev Hampton
Dear Gail,
Just wanted to let you know that we are all thinking of you and the families at Rusty's Block. I know its not Rusty's Block anymore, but that is how I remember it from our trek in 2007. I can only remember the laughter and beautiful greetings we received when we arrived on what turned out to be the most amazing experience of my life. To be greeted and treated like family was only a taste for what became the norm on our trek on the Kokoda Track. Please pass on our condolences to all the families and let them know they are in our thoughts constantly. I often think about young Moses looking after me so well and never comlaining about having to hold the old woman's hand.
It was a privilege to walk with these wonderful people and it is an experience I shall treasure for the rest of my life.
Take care and God Bless
Ruth and Barry Bishop
Trek 272http://www.kokodatrail.com.au/forums/index…;hl=ruth+bishop
Photograph: Ruth receiving her certificate of achievement from Russell Eroro, Kingsley's brother.
Ruth_Bishop_resized.jpgMichael Butler came to visit me this morning. For those of you who do not know Mike, let me introduce him.
With regards to Aviation, there is no other pilot that I am aware of in PNG that has as much PNG time flying in and out of the Goilala and Kokoda area. I first met Michael when my two youngest children were only 9 & 10 and now they are grown up and have children of their own. Michael is such a caring person to the people of PNG. He is married to a local girl from Kimbe and has four young children.
With tears in his eyes he mentioned how he was down at the 'haus krai' (house cry) visiting Grace along with other heads of Airlines of PNG. Grace asked the Management if she could grant a wish of APNG.
The wish was that Airlines of PNG fly home Kingsley's body and that Michael Butler has to be the pilot in charge of the aircraft. With his tears flowing down his cheeks, myself and Sama my 2IC also had tears in our eyes as to Mike it was such a privilege to be asked to do this.
On the day of the crash, Michael was in Melbourne burying his mother when the news broke. He is just heart broken over the crash and one by one has been visiting family members offering his condolences and help if needed.
I too am just so proud of Grace and the family for selecting Michael to be the pilot to fly his body home to Kokoda as he respected Kingsley and the Eroro family during the many years he has known them.
Micahel_Butler_1988.jpg
Michael_Butler_on_the_gound.jpgHi,
As Gail's daughter I have known Michael Butler for over 20 years and am very happy to read the news that Michael has been selected to be the pilot to fly his body home. I have many fond memories of Michael and the Talair village and you couldn't get a more caring & gentle person to return Kingsley to Kokoda.
Mikayla
(PS Mum love the pic of Michael that's exactly how I remember him to be)The funeral service for Kingsley Eroro killed in a plane crash near PNG's Kokoda track, was been held on the 26th August as planned in St Paul's chapel at Murray Barracks.
If you wish to read further please click on the following link:
Kingsley Eroro is and always be a great dad to me!!!!……His character shone above all his brothers and sisters…..Even though he was a busy person, he always had time to spend with family and friends, or just a friend there to hear you out!!!…..
On behalf of my mum (Mrs. Marina Eroro) in Alotau, We would like to say a big thank you to Daddy King for been there for us when we lost Junior (Justus Eroro Jr.) You mean everything to us!!!
We will miss you greatly, but we know that you are safe in heaven with God!!! Our thoughts are with mummy grace, eman, evi, daisy and oliver and not forgetting apie` and nombo!!!
We love you heaps and may you rest in eternal peace!!…..
Jessica Eroro
On behalf of Mrs. Marina Eroro
Alotau, Milne Bay Province
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