ANZAC 100th Anniversary Coming Up?

[David Dunlop]

Isn't it close to the 100th Anniversary of the embarkation of ANZAC Troops from Australia during the First World War? I want to say they left from Adelaide, but I don't think that would win a cigar.

David

[Richard Farrant]

David,
They embarked from Albany in Western Australia. There are events on this weekend to commemorate it all, see here;
http://www.anzacalbany.com.au/anzac-...rative-events/

regards, Richard

[Ganmain Tony]

No doubt some of our Western Australian "cobbers" will have attended and hopefully provide some posts and pictures.

[Wayne Henderson]

Went down to Albany of Friday night and did a walk around the main streets to the New ANZAC Centre, mess tents and open parks. Lots of people and heaps of families and kids. Well organised event.

The parade was the best one I have ever been part of and the crowd reaction to the old fellows was unbelievable.

I carried 3 WW2 vets, 2 Vietnam and an Ex New Zealand Pilot who did WW2 and Korea.

Highlights for me were;
the two brothers who flew missions over Europe in the same Lancaster (true story) receiving a gong from the French for their service,

Peter Cosgrove leaping off the saluting dias to shake the hand of one on the vets. (in front of Tony, Bill and other important knob heads)

Driving through the crowd when some unseen girl yelled out "Hi Grandad and six blokes in my vehicle yelled back hello.

Awesome day

[Tony Wheeler]

Excellent report Wayne, sounds a like a great event. Did anyone get pics of you and the vets in the vehicle? Would love to see.

[Wayne Henderson]

Too busy to get many photos of this event but I did take a few for our editor.
3 Champs, a 1 Jeep, 1 Dodge Weapons carrier and I drove a Series 3 Landrover Troop.
The Champ with the snorkle was the one the late Jack McRoberts restored in his blog on the HMVF website.
Wayne.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Wayne Henderson

Peter Cosgrove leaping off the saluting dias to shake the hand of one on the vets. (in front of Tony, Bill and other important knob heads)

Driving through the crowd when some unseen girl yelled out "Hi Grandad and six blokes in my vehicle yelled back hello.

Awesome day

Lol. Cool.

[Dinty]

Good report and images, thank you Wayne, cheers Dennis

[Bob McNeill]

This year the little town of Neville [ pop 100 ] held it,s Anzac day service today. To mark this year the town opened a memorial to the 13 Boer War soldiers and upgraded and rededicated the existing memorial. Today we had 4 green machines for the march, with a recently restored Dodge from members of 1/19th Reserves joining us for it,s first road run. The rain held off until we were coming home. A great day was had by all, biggest crowd ever.

[Bob McNeill]

Dawn service this morning was massive, normally 2-300 today 1000 - 1500. Got back just in time to join the convoy out to Millthorpe for their 7.30 March, lots of kids from both the local primary to High School students that live in town. After the service it,s load up and off to the next small village of Carcour, again large turnout, the students [all K1 - 6 ] under the supervision of a local artist had painted 2 pictures of all the district nurses who served and this was presented to the local museum. each school read out the names of ex students who served in WW1. Mandurama was next on the list, this time we marched from the Memorial across the H/way to the WW1 cenotaph, following the Bands lead we turned back onto the H/way for our last stop at Lyndhurst. With a couple of minutes to spare we alighted and stretched our legs as the locals polished of their beers and the Lyndhurst Sub Branch got organized for this second last march of the day. After this march and church service, we vehicles return home But the Band and Sub Branch go on to attend Woodstock at 2.30, another 25klms west. On another subject 95 year old Dad [ 96 in May ] got up at 3.30 this morning to attend the Kurrajong Dawn Service, went with his great grand daughter over to Chatswood Golf Club [ by train ] for 2/9th gathering of relatives, Dad being the only unit member there spent nearly 2 hours talking about what they did 39-45. returned to Richmond by train, had lunch and then they drove back to his place, very pleased with himself and his chaperones.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by Bob McNeill

On another subject 95 year old Dad [ 96 in May ] got up at 3.30 this morning to attend the Kurrajong Dawn Service, went with his great grand daughter over to Chatswood Golf Club [ by train ] for 2/9th gathering of relatives, Dad being the only unit member there spent nearly 2 hours talking about what they did 39-45. returned to Richmond by train, had lunch and then they drove back to his place, very pleased with himself and his chaperones.

Hi Bob,
Well done to you and especially your Dad, he is remarkable for his age.

regards, Richard

[hrpearce]

Dawn service in Batlow fine then pored rain during breakfast.
Delivered Vicki and Sam home then took Mum to Adelong.
Grahamstown/Shepardstown service in bright sunshine.
Adelong cemetery service in torrential rain and hail.
Adelong march in fine overcast conditions. Kevin supplied two Dodges, two Jeeps and a land rover, light rain at the memorial park service.
Drove Mum to my home for lunch then dropped her off at her house as we went back to Batlow so Sam could march with his school. Rain started just before the march and continued for the entire service.

[Tony Mathers]

Led 3 parades today and the numbers marching was the highest I have seen.

Luckily it only rained on one parade.

[Rob Beale]

Dawn Service was misty but the rain held off. Numbers were bigger than ever, and as always more vets marched here than in the Civic Parade later in the morning.
The cenotaph was rededicated after completion of repairs to damage caused in the '07 earthquake.
Eight vehicles on parade including newly restored Ford GTB and Universal Carrier. (The RL Bedford is obscured behind the Chev puddle jumper).

[Ganmain Tony]

My other half put this little display in her shop and closed for Anzac Day.
As you can see from the sign, we found out her Grandfather and two of my great grandfathers were all in the 6th Light Horse, and soldier settlers around Griffith after WW1.

[Ganmain Tony]

Once again made the trip from Ganmain to Batemans Bay in the truck and overnighted half way at Yass (Thanks Max and Kathy).

Biggest crowd ever for the day service I have seen and a fair amount for the dawn service.

Our special bit is having breakfast back at the soldiers club with our Grandfather and his grandkids and great grandkids.

A nip of rum for the old boy in his coffee and he was a very happy chappy.

Grandpa's uncle (Pte Eric Long) had his right scapula blown to bits in the attack on Lone Pine. Amazingly, he survived, recovered in Alexandria and was invalided home to Australia.

[hrpearce]

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

My other half put this little display in her shop and closed for Anzac Day.
As you can see from the sign, we found out her great Grandfather and two of mine were all in the 6th Light Horse, and soldier settlers around Griffith after the WW1.

Congratulations on the display.
It's amazing what you can find while researching history, even back then the world was a small place.