Armidale has faithfully commemorated Anzac Day since it began in 1916. Over the years the format has retained traditional key features, with some other rituals and activities (such as a Dawn Service and sporting events) added, as well as the day becoming a public holiday. An analysis of how Anzac Day has been conducted in Armidale sheds light on our city’s history. Readers disagree about whether they prefer to read about events from 50 years ago or 40 years ago, so this week there will be both – we’ll look at Anzac Day in Armidale in 1962 and 1972.
Anzac Day in 1962 was on a Wednesday (just like this year) and was a public holiday. Commemorations began with the Dawn Service, which was a relatively private affair, attended mostly by Ex-Servicemen, especially men from the 1914-18 war – some of whom had actually landed at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. Others who attended in 1962 had served in World War II, Malaya and Korea.
A Solemn Pontifical Requiem Mass with all its ceremonial splendour was held in the Catholic Cathedral which was crowded. De La Salle College cadets supplied the Catafalque Guard, drummers and bugler. The hour long service was deeply moving. A service was held at the Dangarsleigh War Memorial at 8.45am, but it is difficult to picture it as popular and successful as the service out there has been in recent years.
Those people marching in town assembled at the corner of Taylor and Beardy Streets by 10.00am, for a march westwards along Beardy Street. At the front was the Police escort, followed by the disabled Ex-Servicemen in cars, the Armidale City Band, and then the leaders of the local sub-branch of the RSL, Legacy wards, 30 veterans of the 1914-18 war, 150 from 1939-45, then veterans from wars in Malaya and Korea. There were no veterans from Vietnam because that horrible war had not yet impacted on us.
Others marching included Ambulance men, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and Red Cross. They were followed by the Armidale Pipe Band, the Sydney University Regiment, 12/16 Hunter River Lancers and cadets (with bands) from Armidale High School, the Armidale School and De La Salle College. It was a very long procession.
The march ended at the Capitol Theatre (the old movie cinema where Bing Lee is now located), which quickly filled to capacity. Civic and religious leaders joined leaders from the RSL on the stage. Ern Patson, President of the local RSL, presided. Cyril Carey (Armidale’s mayor) welcomed everyone and gave a short introduction.
Alan Cash (Headmaster of TAS), who had served for five years in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands during World War II, gave an excellent occasional speech. After giving a brief account of Australia’s contribution at Gallipoli, he surveyed our role on the Western Front, focusing on how Australians had been used as shock troops. He then spoke about World War II, and stressed the need for everyone “to strive to make this country worthy” of what had been given to us.
Behind-the-scenes-conflict about prayers on Anzac Day was resolved by clergy being excluded, and prayers were led by laymen: Dr Harold Royle, Phil Harrison and Professor Frank Letters (from the Anglican, Presbyterian and Catholic Churches) and by a few men from the other denominations. The service ended with the “Last Post’, the Ode to the Fallen, “Reveille’ and the National Anthem (God Save the Queen).
A parade formed up outside, and was led by the Pipe Band to Central Park for the wreath-laying at the War Memorial Fountain, where the usual rituals were performed, including a Catafalque Guard, “Last Post’, two minutes’ silence, “Reveille’ and the National Anthem.
Afterwards the RSL Women’s Auxiliary (under the charge of Mrs Faint) served dinner to about 280 men in the Town Hall. The meal consisted of meat, salad and sweets, tea and beer. During the afternoon there was a race meeting which was strongly supported, with the proceeds donated to Legacy.
During the next 10 years the format for Anzac Day changed a bit, and there was also a change in the direction of the march.
Anzac Day in 1972 was a Tuesday. Many people gathered for the Dawn Service in Central Park. Likewise, there was a large congregation at the Mass in the Catholic Cathedral, where the De La Salle College cadets supplied the Catafalque Guard, of which I was a CUO. A service was held at the Dangarsleigh War Memorial at 9.00am.
Later, all the marchers in town formed up in the Moore Street car park. A Police motor cycle led the march, followed by vehicles carrying incapacitated men and women, 25 Vietnam Veterans, Ex-service Women, City Band, the Mayor (John Failes) and members of the RSL executive, about 150 Returned Servicemen from 1914-18 and 1939-45, Legacy wards, Red Cross, Girl Guides, Brownies, Boy Scouts, Cubs, and the Armidale Pipe Band. They were followed by 12/16 Hunter River Lancers and cadets (with bands) from Armidale High School, The Armidale School and De La Salle College at the rear. It was a very long procession. The streets were lined with spectators.
The march headed south up Dangar Street to Beardy Street, turned east and continued through what later became the Mall to Faulkner Street, turned south and headed up past the War Memorial Library, where an “eyes right’ was executed, then on to Central Park for the Commemoration service, wreath laying and usual rituals.
Afterwards there was a ceremony near the rear of the Cathedral Hall where a memorial (donated by the local RSL) was dedicated by Bishop Henry Kennedy in memory of freedom fighter and heroine of the French Resistance in World War II, Violette Szabo, whose story is told in the book and movie, Carve Her Name With Pride. Her daughter, Tania, had received her secondary schooling at St Ursula’s College in the late 1950s. A dinner at the Ex-Services Club ended formalities. There are no reports of sporting events or games of Two-up.
Most of those men and women who were prominent in 1962 have died, and those from 1972 have grown older, but their successors still carry on the good work. Lest we forget.
