The war veterans are getting older, but the crowds were still there as Sydney paused to remember the fallen.
The police motorcycle riders and marshals are having their caffeine fix. There’s a bit of time to get ready for the pipe bands to warm up before the marching begins. All medals and regimental banners lead to Elizabeth Street. There’s something of a carnival atmosphere here.First on the scene is the Australia Post mobile corps, attired in hi-vis “tennis ball yellow” astride their EDVs . They are armed with hundreds of Aussie flags to give to the expected crowds.
Further up Martin Place, there is a memorial to the commandos and a service scheduled to start at 8.15am. In the front row with his green beret is Allan Russell, 99, from Rose Bay.He is one of two surviving members from the Z Special Unit formed during World War II to operate behind Japanese lines in South-East Asia. That’s the hush-hush stuff, but he is about to reveal all.
Back to his service now and he’s warmed up. Can I ask you where you were posted? “No. When people have written books I have never contributed because it looks like you are trying to make yourself out a hero.”We know it’s all about to start when three police motorcycle riders arrive on their 1250RT BMWs, registrations VIP53, VIP60 and VIP69. There’s silver braid over their navy jackets. Their handguns are in a holster on the right legs of their very white jodphurs.
“We did our best. We got trained to do a job,” he says. “We always made it home, but we ran out of petrol once and had to stop in Inverness. We copped a bit of flak and that sort of thing but not too bad.”
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