The Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s register shows Yealands’ grave as being a “special memorial” in the Telekava  European Cemetery, Nuku’alofa. The term, “special memorial” usually refers to a burial elsewhere, or in another part of the cemetery, which is not known.  In Yealands case, he is actually buried on Eua Island, a few kilometres off the coast of the main island of Tongatapu.

 

I had travelled to Tonga to photograph the “known” graves, but the owner of the Heilala Lodge in Nuku’alofa, told me that a few days before, relatives of Yealands had stayed there, and had been over to Eua to visit the grave. I booked a flight for the next day on Chatham Airlines.   Looking at the painted “tourist map” at the Eua airstrip, I noticed that the “Soldier’s Grave” is clearly marked. Yealands is buried on the highest point of the island.  I made contact with the Hideaway Lodge and after breakfast, and with a packed lunch,  I was taken half way up by 4x4, and then with a guide, and two Kiwi tourists, walked the last 2 hours through the fabulous rain forest.  

 

Cpl. Yealands was stationed with another New Zealander, L/Cpl Gillon and four Tongan troops, at a lookout station near where he was later buried. The site is on the seaward side of the island - the opposite side to Tongatapu.

 

The “Lonely Planet Guide” tells a story of a murder/suicide “game” played out by Yealands and a Tongan soldier. This is not what happened. The facts, however, are no less sensational.

 

Over a period of time, articles were suspected of going missing. Of value were some “American torch batteries” possibly rechargeable, which would have been quite rare in 1943.  Cpl. Gillon insisted that the Tongan troops perform drill or PE until the batteries were returned. The Tongans refused, and during an argument, Gillon was shot and wounded. Yealands, who had been away from the camp, returned and chased Pvt. Mikaele, who had the loaded rifle. Mikaele fired twice, the second shot hitting Yealands and killing him instantly.

 

Pvt. Mikaele was tried and convicted of Yealands’s murder, and served a life term in Tonga.