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Following the
WWI footsteps
LS Jayson Tufrey
ONE hundred years after thousands of
soldiers marched to waiting ships bound
for World War I, thousands of people
turned up to Albany in southern Western
Australia to mark the centenary of that
first departure.
The Albany Convoy Commemorative
Event was held from October 3 1 to
November 2.
About 800 Defence personnel par
ticipated in the activities, including
21 members from RAAF Base Pearce
who flew the flag for Air Force as they
marched through the streets. Seven of
them were from No. 79 Squadron, seven
from No. 2 Flying Training School
(2FTS), six from No. 25 Squadron and
one from No. 453 Squadron.
One of the marchers, LAC Brendan
Smith, of 79SQN, said he was honoured.
"The feeling of pride as we made our
way up that hill was indescribable - an
amazing experience," he said. "The men
and women who sailed from here for the
Great War put their lives on the line to
allow us to live the life we do now.
"Many of them didn't return, and it's
an honour to be able to commemorate
the event 100 years later."
The event was the first Australian-
based activity for the centenary of Anzac
and was supported with five ships and
one submarine from the Royal Australian
Navy, one Royal New Zealand Navy
ship and one Japanese Maritime Self-
Defense Force ship.
Soldiers from 1 3 Brigade led the
troop march and four PC-9 trainers from
2FTS did two displays, flying in tight
formation over the parade.
The Albany event featured a RAN
ceremonial sunset, community concerts,
a triservice commemorative event, a
troop march, a commemorative departure
of the ships, a wreath-laying service and
an Australian football match.
VIPs included Prime Minister Tony
Abbott, New Zealand prime minister
John Key, CDF ACM Mark Binskin,
Governor-General GEN Sir Peter
Cosgrove and other high ranking mem
bers of the military from Australia, New
Zealand, Britain, Japan and France.
The troop march followed in the foot
steps of the Anzaes.
On November 1, 1914, the soldiers of
the Australian Imperial Force and New
Zealand Expeditionary Force left the tiny
coastal town of Albany on RAN troop
ships, escorted by warships.
Thousands of troops had made their
way down the hill to the waiting ships.
They had come from all corners of
the fledgling nation of less than five mil
lion.
Albany was the last Australian
port these troops saw before starting
their training in Egypt and, for many,
ultimately taking part in landings at
Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.
World War I was part of the evolution
of the RAAF.
Aviators then were part of the
Australian Flying Corps, which came
under the Army's umbrella.
In World War I, they heralded the
entry of air power into modern warfare
by dropping hand-held bombs from
the cockpit, and strafing targets with
rudimentary fuselage-mounted machine
guns.
Most of them made the switch to the
RAAF when it was formed in 1921.
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Four PC-9 from RAAF Base Pearce perform a formation flyover over the troop march. Help
Four PC-9 from
RAAF Base Pearce
perform a formation
flyover over the
troop march.
Photo: AB Jake Badior
Air Force members were among the marchers. Help
Air Force members were among the
marchers.
Photo: courtesy WA Police
Defence force chiefs from Australia and New Zealand, CN VADM Tim Barrett, Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force LTGEN Timothy Keating and CDF ACM Mark Binskin, participate in the march. Help
Defence force chiefs from Australia and New Zealand, CN VADM Tim
Barrett, Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force LTGEN Timothy Keating
and CDF ACM Mark Binskin, participate in the march.
Photo: AB Jake Badior
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