FUZZY WUZZY ANGELS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 December 1942, Page 6

FUZZY WUZZY ANGELS

NATIVE CARRIERS IN NEW GUINEA. AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER’S VERSE. The following verse was written by an Australian soldier in appreciation of what the natives of New Guinea have done to assist the soldiers fighting in that country:

Many a mother in Australia, when the busy day is done, Sends a prayer to the Almighty for the keeping of her son; Asking that an Angel guide him, and to bring him safely back — Now we see those prayers are answered, on the Owen Stanley track.

Though they haven’t any haloes, only holes slashed through the ear, And their faces marked with tattoos and with scratch pins in their hair, Bringing back the badly wounded, just as steady as a hearse, Using leaves to keep the rain off, and as gentle as a nurse; Slow and careful in bad places on the awful mountain track, And the look upon their faces makes us think that Christ was black.

Not a move to hurt the carried, as they treat him like a saint, It’s a picture worth recording, that an artist’s yet to paint. Many a lad will see his mother, and the husbands wee ’uns and wives, Just because the Fuzzy Wuzzies carried them to save their lives From mortar or machine gun fire or a chance surprise • attack To safety and the care of doctors at the bottom of the track.

May the mothers in Australia, when they offer up a prayer, Mention these impromptu angels with the fuzzy wuzzy hair.

It is of interest to know that special comforts are being sent to the native carriers as a token of appreciation.