One of the defining features of the Kokoda Campaign was undoubtedly the native carriers who carried supplies forward and wounded men back. Much is made of their contribution, and rightly so, but without the efforts of Doc Vernon to improve conditions and care of the carrier force it is debatable whether they could or would have carried on their efforts. Not only did Doc take care of the carriers, but when he became aware that the 39th Militia Battalion would be facing the Japanese onslaught at Kokoda Village, he immediately went forward and offered his services to the Commander of the 39th, a man he would soon be operating on under lamplight while under Japanese fire.
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