A RECORD crowd of more than 500 people attended the Anzac Day march and service in Donnybrook on Friday April 25.
This followed a big turnout of 350 people at the dawn service.
Donnybrook RSL President Damian Dixon told the crowd this was the 99th year Anzac Day had been celebrated.
“Today is special, because the younger veterans have marched at the front of the parade for the first time,” he said.
“This is the welcome home parade for the Vietnam Veterans, and we thank them for coming along.”
Traditional hymns and prayers were observed at the service, followed by the laying of the wreaths, the last post and reveille.
Local Russell Trigwell gave a moving and emotional address, where he told the crowd about the Trigwell family’s participation in the two world wars.
“I’ve no doubt every community in Australia had their lives turned upside down 99 years ago,” he said.
He said the Trigwell family’s lives were turned upside down in 1914 when six family members went away to war. Of the six, only three returned.
“Fast forward to World War Two and there were 27 Trigwells on the nominal roll,” he said.
Another four sons were lost in this war.
Members of the Trigwell family are still represented in the armed forces today.
The service was completed with the veterans leading the march out of the war memorial and a sausage sizzle put on for the community.
