"Dawn Service"

Took off to the Sherwood service today, again, unique, very special, and reduced to tears. The coal train groaned and screeched past the service which took me to the POWs. The bugle man blew dry on the last post, and a baby screamed through the minute silence.....but didn't matter to me one bit.
Each year I go to a different dawn service to pay respects and soak up how that little part of the world do theirs. But each year I find it knocks me around more and more. I feel quite flat and a bit numb for hours after if not for the day. But so grateful for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, thank you.

Wife took the older boys.
I got baby duty with the younger two who have been sick. Didn't think it wise to take them out in the cold this year.
Otherwise we go every year.

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Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

Yep. Was there too. I've been going for a few years now.
My Grandfather fought in the First World War, 43 Infantry Battalion - 1 to 6 Reinforcements. I think he fought at Villers Bretonneux.
My Great Uncle was in the 43 Infantry Battalion - 1 to 6 Reinforcements as well. I think he was a driver. He didn't last long. Killed at 19. Buried in Ypres.

This was the first year I went to the "gunfire breakfast".

Sam, were you in the white 110 parked on the grassed traffic island in St Kilda Road?

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Hi Mick,
Good to hear from another aulroian who went. Never done the gunfire breakfast before, we thought on the way home we will try it next year.
Sorry wasn't me in the white 110, I was in my 90.
:)

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Originally Posted by bob10

There were that many people at the Sandgate service, the marchers , who march up from the beachfront, couldn't march into the Cenotaph, & had to fall out and independantly make their way in. No one complained. I've been marching at the Dawn Service for years, and it just gets bigger & bigger. Bob

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I was there as well....brings a tear to my eye every year

i was at blacktown service, my kids marched along with the scouts and my little girl got to lay a wreath.
first one i have attended and having just become an official aussie thought i should go, surprised by the number in attendance and will plan to be at the next one. :)