Photos: LYLE RADFORD

IT WAS one of the biggest attendances yet as more than a thousand people were at Rosewood Dawn Service on Anzac Day.

The march leading up to the early morning service was just for veterans.

And the rainy weather didn’t deter them as they had come prepared wearing raincoats and holding umbrellas.

“If anything, the grey weather added to the atmosphere of the day because it was very moody with the light, misty rain,” said Rosewood RSL Sub-branch Secretary Carmel Luetchford.

“The numbers were really good. I’d say well on a par with last year’s if not better.”

A couple hundred people were in the dawn march, they were mostly service and ex service personnel.

“There were representatives from the navy, army and air force, each one carried their respective flag,” Carmel said.

“The Catafalque Party was from the 35 Squadron at RAAF Base Amberley.

“They’ve been supporting us with the Dawn Service for a number of years and they marched as well.

“Our guest speaker was from 35 Squadron as well.

“We had a beautiful wreath laying ceremony and there was a piper who played the Piper’s Lament.”

After the dawn service there was a gunfire breakfast.

Both marches started at the corner of John Street and William Street and ended at the Rosewood Memorial Hall.

“There was also a 9.30am service and a huge crowd there too, around 700 people came despite the rain,” she said.

“Five local schools were represented, there were service clubs and a large contingent of RSL and other veterans taking part.

“This year we were lucky enough to have two Jeeps, a Land Rover, and some classic cars to drive those who couldn’t walk the distance but wanted to be part of the parade.”

Rosewood RSL had wheelchairs on hand for anyone unsteady on their feet, this year a veteran chose to push an empty wheelchair in the parade as a symbol of those who had served but were no longer living.

“After morning tea many people stayed on. It was nice to see the Veterans sitting around having a chin wag,” she said.