Eighty years ago, in the heart of Aurukun, a soldier was laid to rest with a name that did not belong to him. This soldier, initially known as Charlie Bob Ngarkwokka, had his true identity hidden for over a century until fate intervened.
Born in 1912 at the Presbyterian mission settlement in Aurukun, Charlie Bob’s life unfolded against the backdrop of hardship and inequality. Mission life offered little respite — basic necessities like food and medicine were scarce commodities. Despite the challenges, he enlisted in the Australian Military Forces in 1943 at the age of 31.
As Private Bob, he joined a water transport unit tasked with navigating treacherous waters amidst WWII’s chaos. Serving in dangerous conditions exposed him to risks from both enemy attacks and hazardous sea mines. Yet, his dedication remained unwavering even though indigenous soldiers received lesser pay than their white counterparts.
Tragically, just months before WWII ended, Charlie Bob succumbed to influenza while on leave in Aurukun. His death marked not only a personal loss but also initiated an enduring mystery surrounding his true identity.
In Wik culture where names carry profound significance linking individuals to their heritage and land, getting one’s surname right is paramount. Ariana Yunkaporta aptly explains this saying,
“Surnames have the meaning of everything; they represent totems and lands.”
It took an unexpected turn of events for Charlie Bob’s story to resurface after decades of obscurity. Driven by curiosity and armed with unique insights into Wik culture, Dr. Tim White embarked on uncovering the truth buried beneath layers of history.
Tim’s journey led him to discover an overlooked metal plaque amidst remnants at a tip site — a relic that would unravel Charlie Bob’s real identity. Comparing service numbers meticulously confirmed what many had long suspected: Ngarkwokka was indeed Ngakyunkwokka.
This revelation sparked deep emotions within Ariana Yunkaporta when she stood face-to-face with her great-great-uncle’s war grave for the first time. Her subsequent research unveiled more poignant details about her ancestor’s life and family ties lost to time.
Ariana Yunkaporta now contemplates following her great-great-uncle’s footsteps by considering full-time service in honor of his legacy. The meticulous efforts culminated in correcting official records such as adding “Ngakyunkwokka C.B.” on supplementary panels at the Australian War Memorial — ensuring that every fallen hero is rightfully remembered.
The Last Post Ceremony held for Charlie Bob symbolized not just closure but also a tribute honoring his sacrifice and unearthing an untold story that resonated profoundly within Aurukun community members like Ariana and Irwin Yunkaporta.
Through perseverance and reverence for history, this rediscovery brought solace to descendants who finally saw their ancestor recognized authentically after decades shrouded in misidentification—a testament to resilience across generations bound by shared cultural heritage.
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