They knew too well a greater pain than blows and bullets and are rightly revered for their spirit, bravery and mateship – they were the ANZACs.

Some returned from war to their homeland, but many of their comrades shed their blood and paid the ultimate sacrifice on the far-flung foreign battlefields.

They may be gone but were not forgotten as a huge crowd attended the service in Narrandera’s Memorial Gardens on Monday to commemorate ANZAC Day.

A number of wreaths were laid during the ceremony which featured many schoolchildren representing the local primary and high schools.

Narrandera Shire Council Mayor Neville Kschenka was pleased to see the huge turnout for the march and the service.

”It’s been a trend for the past 20 years and it’s growing every year to show appreciation for the men and women who fought,” Cr Kschenka said.

”The Memorial Gardens is a fitting place to have the service as it was originally established to mourn the people who never came back from wars.

”It is indeed great to see the younger generation coming along to embrace ANZAC Day. It augurs well for the future.”

A catafalque party of young servicemen from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Wagga had a busy day in Narrandera during several ANZAC Day ceremonies.

The catafalque party, the guard which stood guard over the significant monument where the wreaths were laid, made their commander Sergeant Shayne Robbie proud, considering the service was the first time they had performed this task.

”They’ve been wonderful,” Sgt Robbie said.

”It’s been a long day for them; they’ve been up early and been quite busy as we did the Dawn Service and the war graves service as well.

”I’m proud of them, especially as this is the first time they’ve ever done it. They are shining examples.”

All ears were tuned into the guest speaker Sergeant Daniel Johnson, also from RAAF Wagga, during his delivery of a stirring ANZAC Day speech.

Sgt Johnson opened by asking what ANZAC Day means to the average Australian.

”It stands for something noteworthy and sacred to most Australians,” Sgt Johnson said.

”Gallipoli is regarded as the Australian genesis, or the birth of Australia as an independent nation.

”ANZAC Day is a day of remembrance, a time to pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the multitude of conflicts that Australia has sent its service personnel.

”Today we celebrate the spirit of the ANZAC.”

Sgt Johnson said it had been more than a century since World War I had an impact on many parts of the globe.

”Patriotic fervour swept away the anti-war philosophy and policy that Australia had in that day,” he said.

”Andrew Fisher, our 10th Prime Minister, made the historic pledge; ‘we will stand by the mother country to help defend her to the last man and the last shilling’.

”However, in 1916 and again in 1917, the conscription movements, which would have placed ‘the last man’ at Britain’s disposal, were rejected.

”Australia’s 226,073 war casualties were all volunteers.

”Just 21 years after the ‘war to end all wars’, we found ourselves again embroiled in another world conflict.”

In December 1941, Australia and the entire Pacific region was under threat from the Japanese.

After the early setbacks of the war, in 1944 ANZACS fought alongside allies in New Guinea, the Pacific Islands and Europe.

”Battles such as Kokoda and Tobruk are as familiar to all of us as Gallipoli,” Sgt Johnson said.

”By the end of World War II, Australia had established itself as an Independent nation with a formidable defence force.

”Our soldiers, sailors and airmen have earned the respect of allies and foes alike for their bravery and tenacity in times of adversity.”

Sgt Johnson noted that every community in Australia had been enriched with the history of the locals who had made sacrifices ”for the ideals we all hold dear”.

He said their stories serve as examples of service and sacrifice, a service to the community, family and mates and the willingness to sacrifice all for a way of life.

Sgt Johnson said it was this spirit that ”we commemorate today and remember the sacrifices that have been made in the past so we can enjoy the freedom that we have today”.

”These ideals of service, mateship and sacrifice are the basics instilled by the ANZAC spirit,” he said.

”Today we remember the men and women who never made it home – today is their day and that of their mates.

”We do not glorify war as it is certainly the darkest side of mankind.

”Today we honour those who died to protect our way of life – today is simply a day of remembrance.”

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 28 April 2022.