Kalamsei BEM

Constable Kalamsei's story of bravery and sacrifice during World War Two was reported in several Australian newspapers and resulted in the posthumous award of the British Empire Medal for brave conduct and skill in acting as a guide to the Australian Military Forces.

Constable Kalamsei died on the 27th December 1943 at Ramu and his medal was presented to Kumisi, his next of kin, by the Assistant District Officer, Kaiapit Sub District at Atsunas Village, Amari Area on 29th August 1944.

The Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday 5 February 1944 reported that; -"Hostile natives in New Guinea have been armed and used against Australian troops.

This was disclosed today in a citation to an award of the British Empire Medal (Civilian Division) to a native member of the Royal Papuan Constabulary, Constable Kalamsei, for brave conduct and devotion to duty when guiding Australian Army patrols.

Kalamsei guided a reconnaissance patrol over the Ramu under fire from armed hostile natives. He penetrated ahead to observe a road, and found a route by which this road could be attacked.

For 25 hours during the march many enemy patrols and parties of hostile natives searched for them but enemy ambushes were avoided mainly because of Kalamsei's energy and skill.

When observation of enemy parties working on this road was completed, Kalamsei guided back, by a different track, a patrol which was exhausted after a six days' march with little food and water.

"Kalamsei displayed courage, skill, and great fortitude during the reconnaissance," says the citation, "and later led a patrol from Kainantu and Sagerak towards Kaiapit, to make contact with forward troops of an Australian division."