Thousands gather to commemorate Gallipoli fleet
Tens of thousands of spectators in Albany gathered to commemorate the first Anzac convoy in World War I.
Spectators stood five and six deep along York Street for the troop march, deeper at some of the best vantage points, and also watched on big screens set up around the town.
Planes which flew low along the length of York Street thrilled the crowd before the Royal Australian Navy Band led marchers up one side of the street and down the other to chants of "good on you boys".
INSIDE THE NATIONAL ANZAC MUSEUM
IN SEARCH OF THE UNKNOWN ANZACS
AUSTRALIA IN WWI - INTERACTIVE TIMELINE
ANZAC DAY - SPECIAL MULTI-MEDIA PRESENTATION
SHIPS IN THE ORIGINAL ALBANY CONVOY
SHIPS IN THE ALBANY COMMEMORATION
Ros Paul from Alexander Heights and her sister Eileen Higgins lined up early to get in position for the troop march.
The pair staked a place out at 5.30am.
"It's just about 'lest we forget' , " Mrs Paul said. Mrs Higgins agreed.
"Anzacs have always been important," she said.
Ros Paul from Alexander Heights and her sister Eileen Higgins. Picture: Malcolm Quekett
A cheer erupted from the crowd when horses and riders representing the Australian Light Horse Association took position at the top end of York Street where the march turned around.
Controversy broke out in August after it was revealed they would not be allowed to take part in the march due to safety concerns.
Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian
Among the marchers were Australian and New Zealand soldiers, cadets, representatives of the RAAF Flight and many navy marchers, some carrying the names of the ships which departed from Albany's King George Sound 100 years ago.
The Defence Force marchers were followed by a big contingent of ex-service personnel, who drew the loudest cheers.
Loud and sustained applause followed them down the street, particularly some older ex-servicemen in jeeps, which included a Burma railway survivor Neil MacPherson, and three Second World War veterans who will later be presented with France’s highest honour, the Legion of Honour.
Troops march down York Street. Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian
Thomas Lofthouse of Bunbury, and brothers Eric and Murray Maxton of Albany - will all receive the Honour from the French Minister of Defence Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Mr Lofthouse flew a thirty-six operation tour as an Air Gunner in No. 466 Squadron RAAF, later completing a further ten operations of a second tour as a Rear Gunner with No. 77 Squadron RAF.
Brothers Eric and Murray share a unique story, having served on the same crew in 460 Squadron during the Second World War.
Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian
Their first operation on 7 July 1944, took them over Caen in support of the Allied campaign in Normandy. They went on to fly more than 30 operations together.
Ron and Betty Webb travelled from South Yunderup to witness the centenary commemorations.
Mr Webb, an ex-army serviceman, was disappointed he was unable to march in the parade.
"I was supposed to march today but I hurt my shoulder three weeks ago," he said.
"I'm disappointed, but this is wonderful."
Leading Seaman Troy Davies disembarked HMAS Stirling to participate in the Albany commemorations.
"I am marshalling the crowd at the parade and I was a flagbearer at the sunset service," he said.
"I think it's brilliant. It's such a good experience - I'm proud to be part of it and honour the service and sacrifice of those before me."
Among those watching were Faye Elvin, of Mandurah, and Karen Yates, of Geraldton.
The pair said they had found it a very moving and emotional experience.
Mrs Elvin said she had shed tears as the older veterans marched by.
"Those guys, what they went though," she said. "It's an emotional thing, you just feel such pride."
The proud atmosphere resonated with Perth's Debra Lunt, whose father marched in the parade.
Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian
She had travelled from Perth with her mother Shirley to revisit their family roots and witness the commemorations.
"My father Maxie Lunt was born in Albany in 1925 and is about to turn 90," Debra said.
Mr Lunt was in the airforce and served three years in New Guinea in World War II as part of airfield construction.
"His parents 100 years ago were standing here to wave off the guys to World War I. One of those men was my grandfather Lionel Moir.
"For us this is a real moment in time, for both sides of the family are from Albany."
A group of local women and children got into the Anzac spirit by donning period costume to replicate the send off given to the troops that departed 100 years ago.
"Most of us have links to World War I veterans and some are partners of veterans in current and previous theatres of war," Send Off group project officer Belinda Rowland said.
"We have joined together in period costume to commemorate and to educate the public.
Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian
Among the marchers was Warrant officer, Class 2 Bill Baker of the 11/28 Royal WA Regiment, the third of four generations who have fought for Australia - with his grandfather leaving from Albany to be a stretcher bearer at Gallipoli.
Having marched for all his family, WO Baker said his emotions had welled up to see the support.
"I did have a tear in my eye, marching up there, I am not going to lie. There is no harm showing emotions," WO Baker said.
"We can't let this legacy die away, we have got to enhance it - not just because of what happened in Gallipoli but also what has happened in Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor and places like that.
"They did do us proud and that is where Australia became a nation, on the bloody battlefield."
Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian
Dozens of bikies from the Coffin Cheaters were also among the crowd.
"We are here to pay our respects to the Anzacs," a member of the Coffin Cheaters said.
Before the commemorative service got underway at Anzac Peace Park, the Governor General made time to greet the 1st Duncraig Scout troop, and received a troop neck tie as a memento.
Service MC, Major General Dave Chalmers said not only did the date commemorate those who had left from Albany in 1914, but also the beginning of 100 years of shared armed service between Australia and New Zealand.
Premier Colin Barnett said that he felt those who fight would be looking down with pride.
"They were sons, they were brothers, they were fathers, they were husbands, they were the boys you went to school with," Mr Barnett said.
Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian
"And they are being remembered with the respect they deserve today."
Michael Ronaldson, Minister for Veteran Affairs, delivered the Call to Remembrance and welcomed the dignitaries from all over Australia, New Zealand, Japan and elsewhere at the service.
"Today marks the beginnings of a tragedy for our nations. It is a cause for reflection, not for celebration," he said.
Picture: Steve Ferrier/The West Australian
Prime Minister Tony Abbott referenced Banjo Patterson, one of those who left Albany in 1914 - and said because of the war effort then and since, Australia and New Zealand would always be brothers.
"All were sailing into history ... As long there is an Australia and as long as there is a New Zealand, they will be remembered," Mr Abbott said.
"In 1914 we were a country with a flag and a parliament ... The baptism of fire that was the Great War changed all that.
"It was sacrifice on a stupendous scale. They are gone now, gone but not forgotten by the nation they shaped."
Picture: Steve Ferier/The West Australian
New Zealand counterpart John Key commended a momentous event for the two countries.
"Young Australia was welcoming young New Zealand ... And the first chapter of their legend was written here," Mr Key said.
"In a war that engulfed the world, our two nations were amongst the hardest hit .. But it paid a critical role in forging our national identities. We came from colonies to become nations."
Colin Barnett speaking at the opening of the ANZAC centre. Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian
Mr Abbott, Mr Key and Mr Barnett then officially opened the new National Anzac Centre.
Mr Abbott said the centenary of Anzac was not about glorifying war but acknowledging those who served.
Mr Key said the NAC was a fitting place to ensure the story of Anzac would live on for ever.
Mr Barnett said it was an impressive combination of modern technology and historical material.
Thousands of people then lined Albany's Middleton Beach and Marine Drive to catch a glimpse of the ceremonial naval ships departure.
Onlookers witnessed a unique moment in history when six ships and one submarine from Australia, New Zealand and Japan approached the shore before steaming out of the harbour.
Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian
Perth's Lex Edmonds, originally from New Zealand, said the occasion helped put himself in the shoes of his ancestors.
"My grandfather James Edmonds and his brother George both came through Albany from New Zealand on convoys in 1915," he said.
"My grandfather went to Egypt and then onto the Western Front for two and a half years. He was injured in early 1918 and by the time he recovered the war was over.
"George went to Gallipoli and survived the war too.
"It's amazing to get a a feel for what it was like for them. They set out because they thought it was a fantastic adventure, but when they set out into 30 foot waves they realised the world was a lot bigger than they thought."
The crowd waved white Australian ensigns from the navy as the ships floated on the ocean before them.
Albany's Tanya Koster and her daughters Savannah and Ashlyn were among those waving flags.
"It is really special to be a part of and it has done wonders for the town," Mrs Koster said.
"We won't see anything like this again."
People line the beach to catch a glimpse of the ceremonial naval ships departure.Picture: Steve/Ferrier/The West Australian
Julie Fairall and her husband drove from their Australind home to watch the ships in the harbour and pay respects to their ancestors.
"My grandfather was at Gallipoli and was in one of the first contingents that went there. He left from Albany and was at war for three years," Mrs Fairall said.
"We first heard about this 12 months ago when we were travelling through the eastern states and my decided we should come here."
Kim McIntyre, of Albany, reflected on the journey his great uncle made a century ago as he watched the ceremonial departure.
"My great uncle went to Gallipoli. He left when he was in his twenties and was in the lighthorse. He came back and I'm not sure if he was injured," he said.
"To them it was just a big adventure - they were just boys. They really didn't know what they were in for. Even now most people have no idea."
Picture: Steve Ferrier/The West Australian
Ken Walker and his partner Julie Bateman travelled from Donnybrook to watch the Anzac centenary commemorations.
As a riding member of the Australian Lighthorse, Mr Walker was disappointed not to see more horses in the march but said the commemorations were otherwise remarkable.
"I was in the tent light horseman in the 1960s and 70s in A Squadron based in Northam. My name didn't get called up for Vietnam," he said.
"I was disappointed they didn't have more horses in the march, but everything else was first class. Albany should be proud."
A flotilla will followed by a community concert at Centennial Park.
On Sunday, about 12,000 people will board some of the docked warships as part of the sold-out naval open day.
Picture: Nic Ellis/The West Australian
