Lilla Lashmar is one of the most historically famous parishioners at St Cuthberts. She was born in 1895 but we pick up the story in 1929 when she was first sent to the new training centre for the Australian Board of Missions in Sydney.

 She would move among six mission stations in New Guinea but become a permanent teacher and mission nurse at Sangara, where school enrolments would exceed 300. Lilla’s supervision of Papuan teachers at the time was of great importance.

Sangara was an isolated area and in early 1942 the missionaries knew that war with the Japanese was close but Lilla loved her work and confided to her mother, ‘I only want to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ.’

The Bishop of New Guinea, Phillip Strong, urged the missionaries to say resolute in their work even in the face of danger, imploring: ‘If we do not forsake Christ here in Papua in his Body, the Church, he will not forsake us.’

Unfortunately, things did not end well for twelve of the missionaries in New Guinea, including Lilla Lashmar, who lost their lives at this time. ABM in Australia has kept alive the significance of these twelve for their fathfulness to God and their calling.

The yearly September 2^nd Commencement of the New Guinea Martyrs at the Eucharist helps preserve their memory and our gratitude. There is also a window in St Cuthberts that celebrates the wonderful life of Lilla Lashmar.