MARCUS Gillespie fought for 1469 days in World War II, the deadliest conflict in human history.
The 83-year-old still vividly remembers the best part of it all – the homecoming day he surprised his parents by knocking on their front door in November 1946.
“They were amazed. They knew I was on my way, but not so soon,” Mr Gillespie said.
The war had finally ended, more than 50 million people had died in the process, and it was the first day of the rest of this young man’s life.
These days, the Spotswood great-grandfather of three, like most returned servicemen, doesn’t speak of the war.
But around this time every year, thoughts and images flood back.
Without fail, each year on Anzac Day, the widower marches alongside his comrades.
Mr Gillespie, like many keen 18-year-olds, signed up to serve as soon as he was old enough. That day was 4 December 1942.
He went on to serve more than four years in Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands in the South West Pacific in the 2nd/4th Armoured Corps as a turret gunner on board Matilda tanks.
The memories of his 21st birthday, spent at a beach in the Solomon Islands, are bittersweet.
“There were three of us…we all turned 21 in the same week,” Mr Gillespie said.
“We were a bit lucky, we were on duty on the officers’ mess at the time, and we managed to get a bottle of something … gin or something.
“Anyhow that’s a long time ago.”
After the war, Mr Gillespie made a steadfast career as commercial traveller – specialising in sales and marketing – for Australia Consolidated Industries in Spotswood.
He retired after 43 years on the job, and almost 30 years on, is serving his second year as president at Spotswood and Kingsville RSL.
The Spotswood and Kingsville RSL is holding its Anzac Day commemorative service on 22 April and everyone is welcome to attend.
Participants will meet at 10am at the Spotswood railway gates, at the corner of Hope St and Hudson Rd.
The march will proceed down Hudson Rd to the RSL via Cullen St, with the service to follow and wreaths placed on the cenotaph.
