Thousands of people across the Shoalhaven have paid their respects to mark that dawn in 1915 when Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the shores of Gallipoli, marking the start of our nation’s involvement in the war to end all wars and immortalising the legend of the ANZAC.
At Bomaderry, 89 year old bugler Pete Williams played the last post on a bugle that had seen conflict in both the Boer War and World War 1.
It was Mr Williams’ 75th ANZAC Day service.
He said, ” I play the bugle as a mark of respect to my Grandfather who died in World War One and all other service men and women who have died in subsequent conflicts.”
Service personnel both past and present joined residents, both young and old gathered at memorial services across our towns and villages for ANZAC day marches, paying respect to tens of thousands of servicemen and women who have served in conflicts since then, for those who returned and those who didn’t.
President of the Nowra RSL Sub-Branch Robert Grant said “Memorial services across the region gave tribute to those men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the many conflicts since that Gallipoli landing.”
Shoalhaven President of the Vietnam Veterans Clyde Poulton said “ANZAC Day 2023 is also the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s war in Vietnam.”
Mr Poulton said, “The ODE is a tribute to all servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
