Our People in NSW
Erin Moore - Warners Bay
When John Watson talked to his daughter Erin about careers in the Army, little did they realise it would take Erin to the other side of the world.
Erin, 26, joined the Army in 2005 and specialised as an Engineer Plant Operator in her unit’s amphibious beach team.
But now the former Warners Bay high school student has been awarded a scholarship from the Chief of Army that will take her to Australia’s most iconic beach of all time.
Erin will be leaving for Turkey on 13 April and, this Anzac Day, Erin will be at Gallipoli and taking part in the Australian and New Zealand memorial ceremony at Anzac Cove.
“In my normal job I command a section of specialists who clear a beach using a bulldozer, lay down beach matting so vehicles can cross it, and recover drowned or disabled vehicles that get stuck,” said Erin.
“If anything like the Anzac landings happen again, the chances are I’ll be right in it.
“But this scholarship means I can follow the footsteps of the Diggers who fought at Gallipoli.
“I’ve deployed within Australia to help out on remote Aboriginal communities, but this will be my first overseas trip — and it’s definitely more than a sight-seeing tour,” said Erin.
“The Chief of Army wants me to research the fighting around Chunuk Bair, plus the story of PTE William Sing who was a famous sniper, and LCOL William Malone who was killed at Gallipoli. Then I’ll be expected to give presentations on each one.
“It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Erin. “I’ll be part of the wreath-laying ceremony, maybe even say the ode. I’ll be seeing what it looked like and getting an idea of the hardships — it will be surreal.”
“When I’m back, I’ll be spending some time with my husband Aaron and our six-month old son Zachary before it’s Aaron’s turn to head overseas. He’s an Engineer Plant Operator like me, and he’ll be deploying to Afghanistan. For his second tour”