Father, son trek Kokodo to honour veteran

To honour the memory of South Bunbury Football Club legend and World War II veteran Ronald Rushton, his son and grandson have decided to walk the Kokoda Trail.

Jason Rushton had heard his dad Murray say for years that he wished he knew more about his father and the war.

“The trip is important to dad for him to show respect to grandad,” he said.

“I’ve been saying he shouldn’t miss opportunities, but I never thought he would say yes.”

According to Jason, Ronald was a strong man.

He said while his grandad was in New Guinea his hip was injured by a grenade but after his recovery he was sent to fight the Germans in Egypt before he was recalled to New Guinea.

Jason looked up to Ronald as a man who handled the tough times in life and never complained or spoke of the war.

Ronald’s reserved nature is the main reason Jason and Murray are off to Kokoda on September 2.

He said they wanted to understand what it would have been like for Ronald and the many other Allied soldiers in the jungle.

“I’m expecting it to be hard, which is why I have been training every day,” he said.

“I do 8km on the cross trainer or hike around the Maidens, but on the alternate days I wear my 17kg pack.

“I have no idea what to expect, but I know it will be easier than what my granddad went through as we won’t have people shooting at us.

“Overall, the trek will be good and should bring my dad and I closer together.”

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