8 July 1942

Capt Sam Templeton leads B Coy 39^th from Uberi to Ioribaiwa Ridge. Two soldiers unfit to continue left at Uberi.

Jack Wilkinson writes: "Made Ioribaiwa. Had carrioers for our packs and just as well. Two long hills to climb. Missed out on tea as I was with last of troops. Had a job to get some of them to make it. Uncle Sam came back and helped me about half-way up last hill. Was carrying four rifles and three haversacks and had doubts about making it myself. Uncle Sa, insisted on carrying all of my gear as well as that of others."

7 July 1942

Sam Templeton leads B Coy 39^th Battalion (about 100 men) up the Track after waiting for 11 days at McDonald’s Corner for its supplies to catch up. It moves from Ilolo to Uberi, guided by Lt Bert Keinzle of ANGAU and helped by 120 Fuzzy Wuzzy carriers. Three soldiers drop out exhausted.

Warrant Officer Jack Wilkinson writes in his diary: "We left Ilolo carrying packs. What a weight. Uncle Sam (Templeton) in the lead. Arrived Uberi 1730hrs. Several chaps sent back here with fever and bad knees. Hell of a strain on knees on down grades. Had busy time patching feet."

6 July 1942

Lt Bert Kienzle, head of the native carrier system, sets off to recce the Track for Sam Templeton’s young Diggers and organise their staging points.

He takes around 120 Fuzzy Wuzzy carriers with him.

5 July 1942

Lt Col Bill Owen, former CO of 2/22^nd Battalion and one of the few survivors of Lark Force, which was overrun and captured at Rabaul, arrives in Moresby to take command of 39^th Bn.

He finds B Company of his battalion, under Capt Sam Templeton, delayed at the start of the Track waiting for its supplies to arrive so it can march to Kokoda to protect the airstrip there.

He learns that Lt Bert Kienzle has assembled around 600 native carriers at Ilolo, where he is establishing a camp, building accommodation, arranging supplies and assessing their medical condition with the help of another old New Guinea hand Doctor Geoffrey Vernon, a WWI veteran who lost his hearing after a bomb blast at Gallipoli.

4 July 1942

Sgt Alan Collyer sails from Moresby headed for Buna in the schooner Gili Gili carrying B Coy’s stores. Meanwhile, B Coy of 39th Battalion spends its 10^th day at McDonald’s Corner, training in full marching order, while waiting for its supplies to arrive so they can head to Kokoda.