Mr Warburton, who marched with the Royal Australian Air Force Association, said he was filled with pride when he saw people clapping from the roadside.

``It's getting bigger every year,'' Mr Warburton said.

The Launceston resident, who served in the RAAF from 1958 to 1964, said he came to remember his grandfather, who served in both the world wars, and five uncles who served in World War II.

``Sometimes I have a bit of a tear in my eye, particularly when I remember grandad, because he served in the British Army in the First World War and fought in the Western Front,'' Mr Warburton said.

``Then he served from 1939 to 1947 in the Second World War with the Australian Army, so I think he was a bit of a glutton for punishment.''

Karen Cassidy said she was disappointed she couldn't march alongside her father, Ron Cassidy, Launceston's last surviving 2/40th Battalion veteran.

Mr Cassidy had been determined to march, despite a broken hip, but doctors said he was not well enough to join the parade.

Ms Cassidy said her father would have been proud of the turnout, with about 130 relatives representing what is regarded as the ``Tasmanian'' battalion, wearing a red cap as tribute.