ARmy Rumour SErvice

I met a lovely old chap at the UJC last year who had come for ANZAC day. Great company and he showed us his medals; he was finished parading before I woke up. God bless him.

I quite like the traditions of ANZAC Day, the pre-dawn "Stand To" with "gunfire", followed by a memorial service at dawn. And the parades later in the day.

There just seems (to me) to be some added poingancy to the day.

Always a massive turn out for the dawn ceremony at the Australian National Memorial at Villers Bretonneux in Northern France. They'll have finished now. Hope the weather was kind.

My first experience of this moving event was at Hyde Park of all places. Terrific turnout and not the typical Brit old 'n' bold contingent dominating it.

Then it was at the fort at Queenscliffe, built to defend the Aussie gold against those pesky Russkies. Again, wonderfully moving.

Afraid I elected for a lie in this morning.

I purchased and wore my poppy with pride.

Lone Pine at Gallipoli.

a grand turnout this morning for standto in downtown oakey, plenty of old and bold, the parade later was pretty good too, drums were pretty
useless, maybe will have to teach them the odd parradiddle or two,stars of the day were 4 oldies from the lighthorse ,their riders looked pretty good too!!

Originally Posted by udipur

My first experience of this moving event was at Hyde Park of all places. Terrific turnout and not the typical Brit old 'n' bold contingent dominating it.

We're waiting to take MasterPlume to this when he's big enough to understand it properly*. Our mates from Ngati Ranana are all heavily involved & I bought an ANZAC Day Poppy on Saturday as we were in NZ House - just hope MrsPlume remembered to wear it when she went out!

*At the moment we restrict him to Cavalry Sunday as he likes the bands & seeing me march, but it's at a more sensible hour for one of his tender years.