About Us

Why I march on ANZAC Day.

I march for my grandfather John William James Richards

2/8 Field Company which came under the 9th Division

My grandfather was army to the “core”; he was with the Military Militia pre-WWII stationed at South Head.

My grandfather was offered to stay in Australia and become an artillery instructor but decided to enlist at the age of 39 and was only accepted on his third attempt.

After being evacuated from Greece to Crete on 29 April 1941 and German Para Troops landed on 20 May 1941, the battle of Crete was “on”.

He was taken POW on the 1 June 1941 and arrived in Germany on17 August 1941, and was held at Stalag 13c in Hammelburg.

He was liberated by Patton’s 3rd Army on 28 of April 1945.

After the war he served with the CMF for 5 years.

I also march for my father’s step- brother who was 2/3 16th Brigade which came under the 6th Division.

When war broke out my uncle tried to enlist straight away but being under 21 at the time, was told he was too young come back the following year. He waited and tried again and was accepted.

He would see action against all the Kings enemies, and was WIA twice. Once in Syria by a grenade in a fort, and by rifle fire during the battle of Kokoda.

He would survive the war and would march on ANZAC day until he could no longer march.

I also had two great uncles who served.

John Charles Taylor served in WW1, however did not see action as he was in administration role.

On the 11 October 1939 he enlisted 1st garrison battalion in Brisbane and was discharged on medical grounds on 23 June 1940.

Wanting to see action he joined under his brother’s name Edward Mc Kenna Taylor and served with the 2/25 Infantry battalion and DOW 5 July 1941 in Syria.

Bertram Harold Taylor 2/13 Infantry Battalion WIA 9 December 1941 during the siege of Tobruk and was discharged on medical grounds.

I have a keen interest in military history and I am tracing my family tree and have experience in hard-to-find military records, I have found that my great great grandfather was only 16 when he was on HMS” Leander” in 1855 when it was stationed in Balaklava Harbour during the Crimean war.

Reason for joining Descendants of WW2 & Post WW2 Veterans & Inaugural 2008 ANZAC Day March.  In 2006 after many years of procrastinating, I located & Sydney marched with my 1905 born, Late 1988 father A J J Freeman’s 2nd/1st Medium Artillery group, the latter then aged in their 80’s. I marched until their last march of 2011, when health & age wearied, their banner returned to a final resting museum.  Twenty years after Arthur’s passing (aged 83) & just after I joined the inaugural 2008 WW2 & Post WW2 Descendants ANZAC Day Sydney March, I received verification of his unclaimed 1939 War Medal & Australian Service Medal. These were finally received & proudly worn for 2009 < marches ever-since.  The Sydney Daily Telegraph & 2 local Northern Sydney weeklies published my posthumous discovery.  

My name is Leonie Harkin and I am proud to march in remembrance of my family members.  My father Thovald Francis Johansen signed up in 1941 and joined the 30th battalion. He served in Papua New Guinea, where he was seconded to the 9th Battalion and fought in Milne Bay where he was injured in a machine gun nest attack. He was medically discharged in June 1944.

His older brother George Johan Johansen served in the Air Force and his younger brother Seigvald Martin Johansen served on HMAS Maryborough. My mother Lila Evelyn Close was a member of the Red Cross VADs and nursed in Sydney Hospital. Her brother Charles Arthur Close served in the Royal Australian Navy and her brother-in-law Jack Duff served on HMAS Sydney.

I continue to march in honour of not only my family members but in honour of all veterans who have and continue to serve our country.