Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au

Aaron Bunch
Families gather for Brisbane Anzac march

The Brisbane Anzac Day parade will, for the first time, include veterans’ families marching behind banners citing the campaigns their loved ones fought in.

April 25, 2019

Veterans families are, for the first time, marching in the Brisbane Anzac Day parade behind banners citing the military campaigns their loved ones fought in.

They’ve joined about 2500 serving defence force personnel, veterans and other commemorating members of the public to march down Adelaide Street in the city centre on Thursday.

Sandra Davis, 71, is marching to remember her father, Bill, who spent three and a half years as a prisoner of war at Changi Prison after he was captured in Singapore during WWII.

“It’s a chance to for all of us to show our respect for past and present servicemen and woman,” she told AAP.

“I used to march with my father until he passed away in 2009.”

“Now I march for him,” she said.

Retired nurse Honorary Colonel Wendy Taylor says it’s always an honour to march in front of the people of Brisbane, who have lined the streets in their thousands.

“It’s unbelievable, all you hear is cheering and clapping from the side of the road,” she said.

“It’s a privilege to be able to march.”

A traditional lone riderless horse to honour the Australian servicemen and women who died in conflict zones is leading the parade, along with Queensland mounted police.

Colonel Taylor said she’s also looking forward to catching up with the people she’s served with during her 24 years with the Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps.

“These are people you served with and it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been apart you’re always friends,” she said.

Colonel Taylor served in the first Gulf War and East Timor.

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