Honoured through the years

"Sometimes, when I'm by myself, my mind goes back to my mates that got killed."

Bill Newell, a 92-year-old veteran of World War II whose father fought in World War I, urged those around him never to forget.

"I want the younger generations to remember those who were killed," he said. "If it wasn't for them, they wouldn't be here."

There was nary a chance of that. They came in their tens of thousands through the darkness of Kings Park, some holding the elbow of an ageing veteran, others with sleepy-eyed children in their arms.

As the last post rose and fell away and the sun dawned on another Anzac Day, the record crowd of 80,000 people was silent, bound together by that indelible thread of a long-past war that has so defined the Australian psyche.

Later, they gathered on city streets in a friendly crush of all ages and backgrounds, flags at the ready, cheering as veterans passed by.

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Their descendents, some barely old enough to understand the complexities of war, wore medals on both sides of their chest, representing generations of service in a single family.

In Stirling Gardens, old comrades gathered for the gunfire breakfast, greeting each other with firm handshakes and a slap on the back as children rolled on the grass in the sun.

To a man, as they say, they gave thanks on this historic centenary of the Anzac landing at Gallipoli for those whose sacrifice afforded them an opportunity for this fortunate life, in this safe and prosperous place.

Greg Meachem drove from Bunbury to attend the Kings Park service for the first time, wearing the medals of his grandfather who landed at Gallipoli and his 95-year-old father, also a veteran.

"I am very mindful that my grandfather, at this time 100 years ago, was rowing towards the beach and that he was shot in the back," Mr Meachem said.

"I have his diaries. I read them and it made me grasp some of what he was thinking when he was shot and the fact that he just had to push on. And if he was hit again, so be it."

For Joyce Barker, it was the latest in a lifetime of dawn services. She has been to at least 80, often with her father, a member of the 10th Light Horse Regiment that served in Gallipoli. Now, at 91, she has seen the torch handed to her great-grandchildren.

She attended their school assembly, where they wore replicas of her late father's medals, and said it was "marvellous" how many children took part.

Cam Wilkie has military history from his grandparents on both sides and rose at 1am with his three children to ride their bikes to Kings Park for the kids' first dawn service. "It's great for the kids to learn and we have noticed at the kids' school Anzac service that the legend of Anzac and what it means is growing instead of drifting away," he said.

For nine-year-old Tyson, it was special to see the huge turnout.

"I think if those soldiers were still alive, it would mean a lot to them," he said.

George Goldie, 93, said he felt honoured by the size and response of the crowd lining the parade route, as he drove through in his Jeep.

"My first thoughts were about all the people who kept saying, 'Thank you'," he said. "I really appreciated that, particularly to see how many young people there are now.

"Five years ago, you wouldn't have seen half as many people."

As the parade rounded Barrack Street, some of the veterans flagged a little but were spurred on by the loud cheers of sisters Pauline Russo and Valerie Russell. Ms Russo, who attends every year, lost two brothers serving in the British Army and has a son serving.

"We just want to say thank you for what they have done," she said. "It's not just a cheering squad - it's an expression of our gratitude."

At the commemorative service, Returned and Services League WA president Graham Edwards used the words of historian Charles Bean to sum up his feelings.

He wrote: "Many a man lying out there at Pozieres or in the low scrub of Gallipoli, with his poor tired senses barely working through the fever of his brain, has thought in his last moments, 'Well, it is over but in Australia, they will be proud'."