Australian soldier Ian Granville laid to rest in Samatoka Village, Asaro, Eastern Highlands Province. Picture by Vicky Baunke
By Vicky Baunke in Goroka, EHP
Ian Granville, an Australian soldier who loved Papua New Guinea so much that during 1974–1975, when Australia was preparing PNG for independence and Australian troops returned home, he chose to stay.
Colonel Ian Harold Granville lived a colourful life as a professional soldier, military leader, mentor, friend, father, grandfather, naturalised PNG citizen, and businessman.
He was born on January 19, 1940, in Cygnet, Tasmania, Australia. He attended school there until 1956, before working for ES and ANZ Bank for three years.
In 1959, he joined the Australian Army and served for four years (1959–1962), including deployment to Papua New Guinea during the colonial period.
In 1978, Granville joined the Papua New Guinea Defence Force under Brigadier General Ted Diro. He rose through the ranks from Captain to Colonel, eventually serving as Chief of Staff.
Late Colonel Granville passed away on November 11, 2025, at Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae, in the presence of his adopted son, John Granville. He was laid to rest in December at his beloved Hatega Village in the Asaro area, Eastern Highlands Province, with full military honours.
Senior military officials, including former Defence Force Commander Major General Jerry Singirok, attended the service, alongside troops from Igam Barracks in Lae. A gun salute was conducted in his honour.
Major General Singirok described him as a dedicated soldier who gave much of his life to Papua New Guinea. He said Granville first arrived in PNG in 1963 as a platoon commander and later chose to stay when others left.
“He was the only Australian soldier who decided to remain. I was very close to him,” Singirok said.
Granville later received advanced military training in New Zealand and served in various senior roles, including Director of Land Operations and Chief of Personnel.
He also played a role in regional operations, including preparations for “Operation Birua” in Vanuatu in 1980, although he was later reassigned due to operational concerns.
After his military career, Granville settled in Hatega Village in 1988 with his adopted son John. Together, they supported the community through projects such as water supply, schools, churches, roads, and bridges.
They later established funeral home businesses in Goroka, Lae, and Madang.
John Granville recalled how he met Ian while working at a butchery in Port Moresby. Ian later adopted him, paid for his education at Gordons High School, and became a father figure.
“He was my mentor, friend, and everything to me,” John said.
He said his father always expressed his love for PNG and preferred to return quickly whenever they travelled overseas.
In his final moments, Granville told his family, “I have run a good race and I am exhausted… I love you all.”
He requested the songs “Onward Christian Soldiers,” “Amazing Grace,” and “The Lord is My Shepherd” to be played at his funeral.
Late Colonel Ian Granville is survived by his adopted son John Granville and his family.
