Article by William Dunn attending the Memorial Service in person.
On Friday 25th April we commemorated the 110th anniversary of the ANZAC landings on the beaches of Tripoli in Turkey in WW1.
Gunner William Dunn is currently doing his regular 6 week visit to his family in Rockhampton Northern Queensland where his son in law is with RFDS (The Royal Flying Doctor Service).
ANZAC Day is widely commemorated in Australia, New Zealand and Tonga. It is even taught in Schools so even his 9 year old grandson appreciates the significance of ANZAC Day which is a Public holiday in Australia.
The Commemorations started with a sunset service at the Opera house on Sydney harbour on Thursday evening (televised nationally) and was followed by a dawn service at the various memorials throughout the 3 countries.
Gunner Dunn was up at 02:45 to travel to his closest memorial site to attend the dawn service which coincided with the fateful amphibious landings that started at 04:27 110 years ago.
Gunner Dunn attended in his South African Gunners’ Association regalia including his father’s WW1 medals earned in the East African campaign.
At 10:00 they travelled to downtown Rockhampton to witness the procession through town.
Following that they were invited by the local branch of RSL (Returning Servicemen’s league) – compatible with our Moths, to attend a lunch for Vets. A long day and Moving.
Those who were not attending the Parade through town retired for a “Gunfire breakfast” including the traditional tot of Rum and milk.