More than 100 years after her great-aunt was killed in World War I, Claire Wilson stood in the crowd at the Launceston dawn service wearing the medals her idol never got to see.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More than 1000 people, young and old, surrounded the Launceston cenotaph early Thursday morning to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Ms Wilson, of Legana, was there in honour of her great-aunt Ethel, who served in the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service in the UK.
The Launceston service was led by Major Peter Williams, of the Launceston RSL sub branch, with guest speakers including Royal Australian Navy's Commodore of Warfare Ivan Ingham and St Patrick's College student Sasha Massey.
With a focus on military nurses the theme for this year's Anzac Day commemorations, Miss Massey summed up the mood among the crowd with a heartfelt speech.
"A speech could probably never do the work of our service nurses justice, or any of our service personnel for that matter," she said.
"However, as we gather here today we can attempt to afford those who have sacrificed for us, the dignity and respect they deserve.
"Standing here, is clear to me that the memory of the Anzac's still permeates the Australian conscious and that they are far from being forgotten."
Sharing the story of Major Alice Ross-King - an Australian civilian and military nurse who took part in both World Wars - Miss Massey spoke of the sacrifice made by members of the defence force in moments of both war and peace.
Her speech was particularly moving for Ms Wilson, who said she grew up knowing her great-aunt sacrificed everything for her country.
"She was in the reserves. She joined up, trained as a staff nurse and when war happened she decided she wanted to serve her country," Ms Wilson explained.
"In her will, she said 'if our sons go to war, why can't our daughters too?'.
"She must have felt so strongly about it that she joined the military and decided to serve her country, and look after the service men.
"That is why it is so poignant being here today. It is very emotional for me.
"I just had the medals restored. She died out in France on the November 23, 1914, and she would have been 29.
"She never received the medals and I have just had them restored 105 years later."
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
