Anzac Day commemorations in Yass were extra special this year with a 100-year-old veteran named guest of honour. Yass resident John Cockburn served as a telegraphist throughout World War II and escaped Singapore before it was taken over by the Japanese. He retired from the Australian Air Force in 1946.
READ ALSO:
A large crowd gathered for the main commemorative service at 11am at the Yass Cenotaph outside Memorial Hall.
To start the ceremony Mr Cockburn arrived in an old army jeep surrounded by Corps of Staff Cadets Long Tan Division from the Royal Military College, Duntroon. The veteran then undertook a solitary march to the cenotaph with residents cheering him on.
In a prologue address Yass RSL Sub-branch president Neil Turner urged attendees to "take strength in the knowledge our sons and daughters will never forget the sacrifices" our veterans made for them.
The service included laying of the wreaths, prayers, The Last Post and other Anzac traditions.
This year marks the 106th anniversary of the landings at Gallipoli.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
