Australia's Federation Guard
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Around the World for ANZAC day
“ANZAC day is the day we remember all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity.”
On 25 April Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) was involved with commemorative activities at a number of locations around Australia and the world. AFG provided catafalque and flag parties to pay the correct ceremonial honours to all Australians who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions. These locations included Turkey, France, Belgium, Sydney and Canberra.
Private Casey Emmett was in the contingent that conducted ceremonial activities in Villers-Bretonneux, France. Villers-Bretonneux has a special place in Australian’s hearts, as it is home to the Australian National Memorial whose walls carry the names of 10,765 Australian’s who died in France during World War One and have no known grave.
"Having the opportunity to travel overseas to France to commemorate ANZAC Day was something I’ll never forget, in particular being a part of the Dawn and Town Service at Villers-Bretonneux in France. To see a town in a foreign country so dedicated to honouring the memories of so many Australians who died saving it was a very moving experience," said Private Emmett.
This year, for the first time, the Guard expanded its duties to include services in Belgium and Sydney. AFG conducted ceremonial duties at Toronto Avenue Cemetery and the Menin Gate Last Post service in Belgium. Significantly, it was the first time an armed guard has ever conducted commemorative duties at the Menin Gate Last Post service - a service which has been held at 2000 hours every day of the year since 1928. In Sydney an AFG contingent paraded at the Dawn Service at Martin Place and the opening ceremony to the NRL game at the Sydney Football Stadium.
“The deafening roar of support for us from the footy fans was exhilarating as we marched out onto the ground; and later during the Moment’s Silence, the respect from the crowd was amazing. You could have heard a pin drop,” said CAPT Kathryn Christie of the NRL Opening in Sydney.
In all locations, AFG provided first class ceremonial support, representing the Australian Defence Force in remembering our fallen. As it gets closer to the 100 year anniversary of ANZAC Day, the increase in important tasks for AFG get increasingly exciting.
