Advertisement

Fremantle stops for Anzac dawn service

There were two distinctive pre-dawn glows in a darkened Fremantle this morning.

One was on Monument Hill, where thousands gathered to pay their respects 100 years after the Gallipoli landing, and the other at the port below.


Surrounding streets started to fill up well before the Anzac Day dawn service started as crowds made their way to the memorial in the dark.

By the time the service was underway, people were spilling down Monument Hill.

The sun rises over Fremantle. Picture: Ben Spencer/The West Australian

They were asked to remember the 60,000 "young, brave Australians that left this shore for the final time".

One hundred years after landings, Fremantle’s own fallen servicemen were honoured with a World War One plaque unveiling.

The plaque carrying the names of 849 Fremantle servicemen. Picture: Ben Spencer/The West Australian

Twelve bronze plaques bearing the names of the 849 Fremantle serviceman who failed to return from WWI were revealed for the first time during the service in front of their descendants.

Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt said the port city played an important part in WWI.

Floral tributes at the foot of the Fremantle monument. Picture: Ben Spencer/The West Australian

He said someone from almost every street in the town did not return from the war.

"For many soldiers and sailors, including the 849, being in Fremantle would be the last time their feet touched Australian soil and the last time many of them would see their families," he said.

"These were ordinary people leading ordinary lives and most were not prepared for the horror that awaited them.

"This special Anzac Day is a time for remembering those who made sacrifices."

ANZAC COMMEMORATIONS FROM GALLIPOLI TO KINGS PARK



Rear Admiral Mark Bonser said the plaques would "help those that follow us to remember them".

"The plaques show part of the catastrophic loss of life but also serve to remind all of us, including the descendants of those named who are here this morning, of the new sense of nationhood that then arose in Australia," he said.

"The names of the fallen are a tangible reminder of the origins of what we now know as the Anzac spirit."

Veteran John Freund. Picture: The West Australian/Michael O'Brien

Hundreds of people stopped at Kings Square after the service for the Gunfire breakfast before lining up on the streets of Fremantle ahead of the city's parade.

Children waved flags and adults clapped their hands as the marchers made their way along the cappuccino strip to the sound of drums and a pipe band.

Those in the parade smiled and waved at the sea of people who filled the streets to honour their service.

Scarlett Williams. Picture: The West Australian/Michael O'Brien

Among the spectators was three-year-old Scarlett Williams, who was keeping an eye out for her dad, Navy chief petty officer Richard Williams.

Mr Williams' wife, Alexis, said Anzac Day was a very important time for her family.

Doug Amor catches up with Charles "Chalkey" White. Picture: The West Australian/Michael O'Brien

"Last year my husband missed out on marching because he was on the ship looking for the missing plane (MH370)," she said.

"It's a really important day to our family and it's a big celebration for him as well."

The parade ended with members of the military speaking about the outstanding contributions of serving, veteran and fallen servicemen and servicewomen.