Wayne Swan (Lilley, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to acknowledge the extraordinary role played by one of my constituents, Mr Alister Kentwell, in the forging of peace as Japanese forces surrendered in Borneo more than 70 years ago. Born an Australia citizen in Kobe, Japan, in 1925, Alister was bilingual from a young age. He was only 18 when he enlisted with the AIF in Brisbane in 1943. On 10 September 1945 Alister's skills placed him at a pivotal point in our wartime history. Photos held by the Australian War Memorial show the young Corporal Kentwell, who was acting as an interpreter for Brigadier Wood, listening intently as Japanese Rear Admiral Nomura spoke during the surrender ceremony in the jungles of Borneo. After hostilities ceased, Alister was assigned as a translator assisting the New Zealand contingent in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. He returned to Brisbane in 1947 at the ripe old age of 22.

The Centenary of Armistice is a unique opportunity to reflect on the great weight placed on young soldiers in conflict. I can only marvel at the black-and-white pictures of a calm, collected Corporal Kentwell, taking in his stride the momentous role that he played as the conclusion of the war unfolded. I know his family are incredibly proud of him. On behalf of our community in Lilley, I thank him for his service.

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