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North Shore Electorate Anzac Day Commemorations

Published on: June 2020

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-110864

North Shore Electorate Anzac Day Commemorations

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (17:41):

:35 While Anzac Day services in my community of North Shore did not occur this year due to COVID-19 pandemic, it is always an opportunity for us to reflect as a community and commemorate the brave service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Usually we would gather at local war memorials and reflect in solemn silence on those who have served across the generations, but with the cancellation of services we were unable to come together as we have in past years. I praise RSL NSW for instead introducing "Light up the Dawn", encouraging everyone to stand at the end of their driveway or on their balcony, listen to a brief commemorative service or tune into the Australian War Memorial service, and pay their respects by holding a candle. In some parts of my community people played musical instruments. It was heartening to see that so many across the North Shore held their own services at home and on the street. There were many houses displaying Australian flags, poppies and signs that read "Lest We Forget". It is at our most difficult times that the true Australian spirit shines through—as it was in times of war, and now as we navigate this pandemic.

We are a resilient State and we always pull together when times are tough. This year marked the 105th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign, the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I. During the eight months of the campaign, the Anzac spirit was forged in the horror and carnage that they faced, which also had a profound impact on Australians at home. This year I took the opportunity with just my family to lay wreaths at Mosman War Memorial, North Sydney War Memorial and Kirribilli Second World War Memorial on behalf of the people of the North Shore.

It was a very different day for all of us, but it was wonderful to see so many tributes from dawn onwards. Australians feel a deep affinity with the Anzac tradition of service. My own family shares this history with both my grandmother and grandfather serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II. Our community has been widely represented across the generations in times of war. In thanking all service men and women, I will share a few local stories provided by our RSL sub-branches as they were not able to share them themselves at services.

Orange Advocate

Private William Henry Bowers of Mosman enlisted to join the Australian Imperial Force in April 1916, leaving behind his life at the , where he had worked for 20 years. In a letter to his brother Private Bowers described the barren and shell hole filled Somme battlefield, and the horrors he faced alongside his comrades. Private Bowers was severely wounded on 15 May 1917 during the second battle of Bullecourt when there was a German counterattack on part of the captured Hindenburg Line near Riencourt being defended by the 54th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. He returned to Australia in December 1917, passed away on 5 March 1949 and is honoured on the Mosman War Memorial and the honour board at St Luke's Anglican Church in Mosman.

Suevic

Lieutenant Howard Bowden Fletcher, DFC, of Mosman was an auctioneer prior to his enlistment on 14 January 1915. He embarked on service from Sydney on board HMAT on 13 June 1915. Fletcher served with the 12th Light Horse Regiment and the No. 1 Squadron Australian Flying Corps during World War I. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for conspicuous bravery in air combats and attacking ground objectives. When Lieutenant Fletcher returned to Australia on 23 December 1918 he continued to live in our community and passed away on 10 April 1967.

Many in the North Shore electorate will know the name Bill Purdy. He is a local Mosman resident and a member of the Mosman RSL Sub-Branch. He served as a pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force with the 463rd Lancaster Bomber Squadron. We like to chat about Lancaster bombers because my grandfather was also a Lancaster bomber pilot. He flew an incredible 37 missions over Nazi Germany and Europe, which was an enormous feat while facing overwhelming dangers. Almost 51 per cent of all allied aircrew were killed in operations, with only 24 per cent surviving the war unscathed. Bill was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and later the Legion of Honour by France for his service. He is still an active member of the Mosman RSL Sub‑Branch.

The last local serviceman I would like to reflect on is a resident originally from Neutral Bay, Douglas Sandow. During the Second World War he was a flying officer completing operational tours flying B-24 Liberators with the No.12 Squadron and B-25 Mitchells with the No. 2 Squadron. The most emotional mission came after the war when he supported the repatriation of Australian prisoners of war from Singapore. Douglas has described the immense horror and sadness he witnessed during the war. He is an active member of the Kirribilli RSL Sub-Branch. I thank all our local sub-branches, service men and women past, present and future.