Two ADF members paid a special visit to their relatives' graves at the Bomana War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea while deployed on Operation Wantaim.
It was the first time the graves had been visited by relatives, and for Chief Petty Officer Chris Seibright and Leading Aircraftwoman Jade O'Neill, the discovery of the headstones was deeply moving.
Both members were in PNG to support events commemorating the country's 50th anniversary of independence.
Chief Petty Officer Seibright said his father had always wanted to make the journey but had been unable to. While in-country, Chief Petty Officer Seibright was finally able to honour his great-uncle in person.
"I knew he was buried somewhere in PNG," Chief Petty Officer Seibright said.
"My crewmates helped me track down his exact plot details online, which led us straight to the row.
"When I finally stood at his grave, I teared up. It hit me that my great-uncle George was about the same age as my son when he died."
For Leading Aircraftwoman O'Neill, the visit to the cemetery was also a visit to remember her great-uncle - also named George. George was an infantry soldier killed on the Kokoda Track when he was 34.
"I FaceTimed my dad from the cemetery and I was overwhelmed by how many graves there were at Bomana," Leading Aircraftwoman O'Neill said.
"The sadness deepened when I remembered that just days after George died in 1942, his brother was killed in Egypt."
'When I finally stood at his grave, I teared up. It hit me that my great-uncle George was about the same age as my son when he died.'
The cemetery, located about 20 kilometres from Port Moresby, became a place of reflection for the ship's company and embarked forces from HMAS Choules during their deployment.
Following a service led by Australian Army Chaplain Kristen Dillon, and organised by Choules' Maritime Spiritual Welfare Officer Nathalie Gevinti, the members spent time at their relatives' graves, paying tribute to their sacrifice.
"Knowing the cemetery is so well cared for is such a comfort," Leading Aircraftwoman O'Neill said.
"I'm so grateful to the people of both Australia and Papua New Guinea working together to maintain it."
Chief Petty Officer Seibright said: "It shows that our losses were their losses, too, and honours the ultimate sacrifices that were made by those who rest here."
Bomana War Cemetery is the largest war cemetery in the Pacific. More than 3800 Allied sailors, soldiers and aviators are buried there, including more than 3300 Australians. A further 740, who have no known grave, are commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing.
