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First Dawn Service i have missed for many years as we flew out of NZ at six am this morning. My grandfather was an original member (No 632) of the 21st Battalion and he fought at Gallipoli then went on to spend a few years in France/Belgium.
Cheers, Mick.
Cheers Digger.
When I was a cadet I was always incredibly proud to march in the parade, there was something pretty special about it.
I've had a few relatives killed in WW1, including old mate Simpson (yes, that Simpson). Relative on my mums side.
It was an honour to visit Gallipoli in 2011, gives you a real perspective of what they would have had to face.
Cheers
Muppet
I have in my keeping 2 artefacts taken from the ruins of the Chateau at Villers-Bretonneux, they are a call to prayer bell and a candle holder from it's chapel, the other bell, candle holder and the carved eagle lecturn was aquired by one of the Arnott boys,those artefacts will be passed to my son.
Thanks, Eevo. The original concept, " Ghosts at Menin Gate," is a spine tingling painting. Bob
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...013/04/381.jpg
http://www.google.com.au/url'sa=t&rc...laNVOB8IwHBe_A
I'll add some pix from today's Sydney march later tonight.
I just managed to snap this - I didn't even know they were coming past until someone pointed - Catalina, Dakota, Caribou.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment...1&d=1366882238
I don't know what these were but, jeez, there were a lot of 'em today!
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment...1&d=1366882355
I met this bloke, Frank Young, on the train on the way into Sydney. It turned out he knew my BIL when the BIL was an apprentice instrument fitter at RAAF Wagga back in the 60s. Then I saw him again in the march.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment...1&d=1366883182
They would probably be Catalina PBY 3 or5,Dakota(DC3) and Caribou(DHC4)in line astern possibly from HAR's
Cheers
Ya beat me to it Ron.
I feel I must give my Anzac Day experience today. When I returned from Vietnam in 1970, after going away in good faith, to do my country proud , my mates & I came back to be made to feel , like we had done something wrong, instead of good. The RSL did not recognise us, I decided the RSL were a mob of *******. Then Dad [ WW2 veteran] took me to the Dawn service, Sandgate. I spoke to Rats of Tobruk, Korean men, spitfire pilots, good men all. And the best thing? They accepted me. Dad & I went to the Dawn service for many years, and the old men dropped off, one by one.Then Dad died, and all of a sudden, Anzac day for me just became a ****up. Today I am proud to say, my children came to the Dawn service, and my Wife and 2nd son & his wife, came with me in my D2 to Mt Glorious lookout, and it felt so good. I feel my life has taken a turn for the good. Bob
A good ANZAC Day for me here in Longford.
Not as many blokes marching this year, though.
Growing up, for me, ANZAC Day was about my dad leaving for Sydney very early so he could march either with his unit (1RAR Vietnam 1965) or playing in the NSW Ambulance band where he either tromboned or acted as drum major. Either way, my brother and I would be glued to the television coverage to spot him.
Now that my dad has died I'm very glad I can be part of the local commemorations - in the march giving lifts to veterans and involving my own kids. Honouring my dad's service in this way was the prime reason I restored my 2a GS.
Here's what it looked like:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...013/04/292.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...013/04/293.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...013/04/294.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...013/04/295.jpg
With my Padre father-in-law (not long back for Afghanistan) who had official duties at the 1100hrs service and my son.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...013/04/296.jpg