- ANZAC tradition alive -
29.04.2003 11:43:03
Record crowds braved the weather last Friday, to keep alive the ANZAC tradition at ANZAC Day services in Gloucester.
Neil Wilson, President of the Gloucester RSL Sub-branch, said they were very fortunate that the rain stayed away with only a very light shower at the end of the service.
He said at least 200 attended the dawn service, and over 500 the 11am commemorative service.
World War II veterans attending Friday’s ANZAC Day service at the Memorial park included, from left, Keith Dennett, Rusty Gorton, Toby Wilson, Joe Moore, Rusty Gresham and Stan Blanch.
"The big attendances were perhaps the result of our service men and women being posted to the war in Iraq," he said.
"It was great to see such a large crowd again celebrating ANZAC Day."
Father Paul Mulconry from St Joseph`s Catholic Church led the dawn service before wreath laying at the Anglican Church memorial gates, at the cemetery and the folk museum.
At 10.25am President Neil and Fred Murray, president of Gloucester Soldiers Club, both laid wreaths in front of the honour roll in the club foyer.
The ANZAC Day march began in front of the Club at 10.30am, with the Gloucester Pipes and Band, and led by Jock Gresham, followed by Neil Wilson, Captain Nigel McIntosh and Major Terry O`Brien of the Reserves and behind them a soldier, sailor, airman and a lady commissioner from St John`s Ambulance.
This group was then followed by the colour party of Bob Murray, Trevor Garland, John Whitaker and Alan Vale. Following them were returned ex-service personnel, the cadets and then the school children.
Parade commander was Terry O`Brien.
The march headed into Church and Hume Streets to the memorial park.
With RSL officials leading the 11am commemorative service, the programme included hymns and prayers by Gloucester High School captains Anthony Martin and Alison Latimore, and Canon Stuart Benson, presented the ANZAC Day address.
With army cadets raising and lowering the flags, The Last Post was sounded, the Ode recited, and reveille sounded.
A collection at the war memorial amounted to just over $700 and will be made up to a $1000 and sent to the RSL Benevolent fund.
The luncheon at the Soldiers Club, catered for by the RSL Women`s Auxiliary, was well attended.
acknowledge:
by The Gloucester Advocate
http://gloucester.yourguide.com.au
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