Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel mourned

Mr Indiki died on November 15 at the rumoured age of 106 in his village Naduri on the Kokoda Track.

St Helens resident Mick Tucker, who met the World War II legend twice, in 2008 and 2010, said he had been privileged to hear Mr Indiki's stories of Japanese brutality and Papua New Guinean natives' sacrifice.

The Fuzzy Wuzzies were famous for transporting injured Australian soldiers and supplies along the infamous trail from 1942 onwards.

After the war, Mr Indiki became a policeman and village elder.

``One of the many stories he told was how you become a carrier, someone would come to a village and get the young men to line up and raise their arms,'' Mr Tucker said.

``If you had hair under your arms you were old enough to become a carrier.''

Former senator Guy Barnett, who was behind Fuzzy Wuzzies gaining official recognition by the Australia government for their service in 2009, said Mr Indiki was a character.

Martin Webster, of Launceston, saw Mr Indiki 10 days before he died while working as a guide leader in the country. He said Mr Indiki's  sons, Andy and Joel, helped relate their father's stories to visitors.

``Naduri has lost a member of their family, Australia has lost a legend and I have lost a friend,'' Mr Webster said.

``Every time you would meet him he would have a sparkle in his eyes.

``It is a big loss to the history of the Kokoda Track.''

There were more than 50,000 Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels and Mr Indiki was said to be one of only three surviving.