Anzac Day commemorations in Forbes tomorrow are expected to be well-attended as people turn out to mark 100 years since Great Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914.
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Forbes Returned Services League sub-branch president Michael Walker said crowds at both the dawn service and mid-morning service and march have been getting bigger in recent years, but he expects a large turnout this year in the lead up to next year’s centenary since the Anzacs landed at Gallipoli at dawn on April 25, 1915.
“I think it will be [bigger]; it will certainly be a build up to next year,” he said.
“I’d imagine there’ll be about 500 at the dawn service, quite easily and then there’s generally about 1500 to 2000 at the march.
“People take more interest because it’s 100 years since the start of the war – its history now.
Mr Walker said it’s great to see more young people attending the services each year, which reflects an increased general awareness about the historical significance of Anzac day.
“There are definitely more young people coming because there’s more awareness through the media and schools,” he said.
“Every school does projects on specific wars…there’s a lot more awareness about Australian history now.”
There will be representatives from all local schools at the march including Forbes Primary School, Forbes North Primary School, St Laurence’s School, Bedgerabong Public School, Corinella Primary School, Forbes High School and Red Bend Catholic College, as well as other local groups and organisations such as Janelle Coady and the Forbes choir, Forbes Town Band, RFS and SES members, and ex-servicemen and women.
This year’s service will have a strong emphasis on Forbes local Thomas E. Drane, who signed up to the war on August 4, 1914, the same day that Britain declared war on Germany and Australia pledged allegiance with a force of 20,000.
Mr Walker said T.E. Drane would feature as the theme of this year’s Anzac service because it marks 100 years since he signed up to the war effort.
“The other emphasis will be that T.E. Drane’s army number was 53, which meant he was the 53rd person to sign up for the war in Australia,” he said.
“It’s absolutely phenomenal when you think about the significance of that.”
T.E. Drane’s great grandson, Andrew Drane will be the guest speaker tomorrow, reading some extracts from Tom Drane’s diaries, which the Advocate have been publishing in the lead up to Anzac day.
Tomorrow’s formalities begin bright and early for the dawn service, with people asked to assemble at 5.15am in front of Forbes Services Memorial Club from which they’ll march at 5.20am to the cenotaph in Victoria Park.
At 5.30am the dawn service ceremony in Victoria Park commences, followed by a breakfast at 7am at the services club.
Sub branch members breakfast voucher will be issued on the day.
At 10am people are asked to assemble at Cross Street with the march to begin at 10.15, heading down Lachlan Street to the cenotaph.
The sounding of the last post will be played by bugler Aaron Parry, who Mr Walker said always does an “absolutely tremendous job”.
The mid-morning service will be followed by a lunch at the services club, which is free for any ex-service personnel and then the long-held tradition of a game of two-up will start at about 2pm, with all proceeds to go to Legacy.
Mr Walker encourages everyone to come along tomorrow and pay tribute to those who fought for our country and sacrificed their lives for our future.