BON, Lui Liu
| Service Number: | Q85196 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 June 1942, Thursday Island, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Mer Island, Torres Strait, Queensland, Australia, 26 January 1910 |
| Home Town: | Meer Island (Mer Island, Maer Island, Murray Island), Torres Strait , Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Teacher, Lay Preacher, Councillor of Mer Is., Trochus and, Beche‑de‑mer Diver, Honorary Church Warden, Public Servant (Department of Native Affairs), Community Leader, Justice of the Peace |
| Died: | Thursday Island, Queensland, Australia, 28 December 1992, aged 82 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Thursday Island Cemetery |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 1 Jun 1942: | Enlisted Private, Q85196, Thursday Island, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Mar 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Corporal, Q85196, Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Cassie Horsley
Torres News, 8 January 1993
In Memory of the Passing of One of the Sons of the Torres Strait
The late Mr Lui Bon Snr was born at Murray Is. (Mer) on 26 January 1910, the only son of Lieu and Kepu Bon. He was a full Meriam, his totem was Daumer (Torres Strait pigeon), the Baizam (shark) and he was adopted into the Gauram tribe which initiated him to the Totem of Galbal (whale) and Peibri (manta eagle ray).
His father died when he was 12 years old. Along with his mother Kepu, Lui was taken under the care of his uncle Mr John Baud. Mr Baud was a very disciplined person as well as a dedicated churchman, very skilled handyman (carpenter) and a community spirited person. Being brought up in this environment Lui was taught a proper and positive approach in his life's journey. In his early days Lui was a keen learner and a bright scholar and because of his outstanding capability, in 1930 he was appointed teacher at Mer Is. under the direction of Mr Frith who was the principal of that time.
On 22 December 1932 aged 22 years, he married Mabigee Mau Kaume, only daughter of Mary Kaume Kaigey (née Penticost) at Mer Is. He continued his teaching career from 1930-1935 on Mer Is., Coconut Is., and Darnley Is.
He was then elected councillor of Mer Is. where he served his community well and was also a devoted lay preacher serving under the supervision of Joseph Lui the Priest in charge of St James Church, Mer Is. Lui was an independent person who viewed and analysed issues carefully and approached them with confidence and determination. He was very committed in what ever task he was engaged in. He served his community in both pastoral capacity and community affairs.
Lui was a very responsible father and husband. He had 5 daughters and 8 sons, 36 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He instilled in his children and their offspring an understanding of Torres Strait culture and traditions and was proud of his heritage.
As his family grew in numbers he decided to take up working on the master boats and from 1936-1940, together with his cousins, he engaged in trochus and beche‑de‑mer diving. Because of his recognition as a lay preacher and never diverting away from his spiritual beliefs, he was requested to conduct services at sea - as their task was a perilous one.
In 1941, the then bishop of Carpentaria, the Right Rev. John Davis, acknowledged Lui's faithful and dedicated services to the church and commended and licensed him to an honorary position with the status of church warden.
In 1942 he was recruited into the Army and later in the service of "B" Company in the Torres Strait Light Infantry Battalion, he was promoted to the rank of corporal. Because of his outstanding abilities and good soldiering he was well respected and made spokesperson for the Infantry. Lui and many others were called to go overseas to Moroki (West Irian). He never strayed from his Christian faith and in the armed forces he continued to encourage and teach from "The Good News Bible", directing his fellow man to "The Way, The Truth and The Life" (Jesus).
Lui was discharged after the war ended in 1946 and went back to Mer Is. Because of his experiences and ability to communicate effectively between Islanders and the Government Departments, he only had 12 days to be with his family on Mer Is. when he was called to work on Thursday Is. for the Department of Native Affairs. He remained in this job until his retirement in 1977 at the age of 65. Because of his faithful service to the Government and his people, he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal (ISM) at a ceremony held in Brisbane.
By now Lui was well settled with his wife and family in TI. He played an important role in the development of TI. He was the President of the Parents and Citizens Association (P&C) at TI Primary School from 1955 into the 1960s. He was also elected as a board for the TI Hospital and appointed Justice of Peace. He served all positions well.
On Monday 28 December 1992 at 9.45 am Lui Bon Snr. departed this life to begin another. In saying...
"I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith.”
God's Blessing
AUKA ESWAU
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