Funeral Of Senor Rufino Alves Correia

Funeral Of Senor Rufino Alves Correia

Australian Defence Force troops deployed to East Timor have attended the funeral of Senor Rufino Alves Correia, one of the last known surviving East Timorese to have supported 2/2nd Independent Company during World War II.

Together with hundreds of mourners in Dili the Australian Defence Force Personnel honoured Senor Correia..

Members of the Australian Joint Task Force carried the casket through a guard of honour, before family, friends and colleagues sang hymns and offered prayer.

Commander International Stabilisation Force (ISF) COL Simon Stuart said attending the procession was a privilege.

"We were a part of something special and I think it is appropriate, as Australian soldiers, to remember the commitment of Rufino Correia and his many colleagues who supported Australian soldiers in East Timor during World War II." Colonel Simon Stuart said

"Our participation in Senor Correira's funeral service was an important to honour the support and sacrifice the Timorese made alongside Australian servicemen during World War II".

It was Senor Correia's special request to be draped with the Australian flag and slouch hat upon his passing, typifying an everlasting bond between Australian and Timorese soldiers.

"The relationship Senor Correia forged with Australian Lieutenant Tom Nisbet is a real reminder to us all of the bond between our two countries that continues today as Australian soldiers work alongside their Timorese counterparts," COL Stuart said.

During WWII, Australian soldiers of the 2/2nd Independent Company, which formed part of 'Sparrow Force', were deployed to defend Portuguese Timor from Japanese invasion.

The success of the battle was largely due to the support Sparrow Force received from the East Timorese people, combining to tie down 15,000 Japanese fighters.

"Each Australian soldier generally had a Timorese mate who helped guide them,looked after them if they were sick and assisted in carrying their combat load - they were pretty much indispensable," said Colonel Stuart Smith.

ENDS

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