Every year, hundreds gather down Banna Avenue to watch the Anzac Day march followed by the main service at Memorial Park near Cenotaph, however for one Griffith veteran, this was the most special service yet.
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Despite the threatening rain clouds, the march and main service remained dry while the ceremony was in full swing, in a contrast to last year which saw the march cancelled due to wet weather.
For one of the last Griffith WWII veterans Reg Gilbert, the service was commemorated flanked by his decedents, making four generations of his family present.
They came from America and Sydney especially for Anzac Day commemorations to mark the third year since the Anzac centenary.
Reg Gilbert, who is now 94, sat through the moving commemoration with his son Danny Gilbert, grandson James Gilbert and five-year-old great-grandson Iggy Pulstinick-Colombres.
“It is really quite important having four generations of my family here considering my age, as I may not be here for the next Anzac Day,” Mr Gilbert said.
“It was another great Anzac Day service, the only trouble is, is that there isn’t many of us left.”
Serving from 1942 to 1945, Mr Gilbert is one of two WWII veterans left in Griffith.
This is the first year the family celebrated Anzac Day together. For many years Mr Gilbert made the journey to Sydney to march on Anzac Day in order to walk alongside the men of his unit, however he is now the only remaining member of the 80 strong regiment who returned home.
It is really quite important having four generations of my family here, considering my age, I may not be here for the next Anzac Day.
- WWII Veteran Reg Gilbert.
“It’s amazing, having so many years of our family here with him at this time, it’s hard to really put into words,” James said.
“I came over especially from America to be here. We also have a family wedding in a few days.”
Mr Gilbert’s son Danny also made the journey from Sydney to mark the family milestone reunion.
“Dad is 94 now and may not march again, so having my son and my grandson here with dad means so much,” Danny said.