For the first time in decades, Cowra’s Anzac Day Service, normally held at 11am at River Park was called off due to rain.
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Despite the inclement weather, the Anzac Day March down Kendal Street and the Dawn Service held at 6am on Tuesday still ran as usual and attracted large crowds.
More than one hundred people gathered outside the Cenotaph on Brisbane Street for the Dawn Service on Tuesday morning.
Cowra RSL sub-Branch President Bob Dooley led the proceedings, citing the importance of recognising the sacrifice made by diggers in all conflicts.
“This morning we gather here to remember those who paid the ultimate price protecting our wonderful country Australia,” he said.
“We also think of those who returned injured and their families who waited at home for their return.
“Our Anzac Day ceremonies honour the sacrifices, not only of those who died in the war of 1914 to 1918, but all those who died or were wounded against Hitler’s Germany and her allies, Japan, North Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq and all the other conflicts and peace keeping and humanitarian operations where the Australian armed forces stood between our nations and our enemies.”
Mr Dooley went on to discuss the heroics of a number of servicemen and servicewomen from Cowra.
“Mr Edgar Mosley also saw service in Gallipoli and went on to France, where he was wounded twice. At the outbreak of WW2, he again enlisted and served as an enlisting officer,” he said.
“Edgar’s daughter, Mrs Elaine Clements… also served as a nurse during WW2, seeing service overseas.
“Private B.J Goldsmith, served in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment in Korea and was killed the night before Anzac Day at the battle of Kapyong on April 24, 1951.
“Private Peter Jackson, he was born in Cowra in 1947, was a national serviceman, he saw service in Vietnam, with the 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, where he was wounded in April 1969.
“He returned to duty with 12 Platoon and whilst on operations was mortally wounded on July 15, 1969 in a mine incident.
After the dawn service, veterans and serving men and women and their friends and families gathered for a light breakfast inside the RSL rooms before a number of ceremonies were held across Cowra as scheduled.
