Thousands in Brisbane for Anzac march

[kiwi]

Thousands in Brisbane for Anzac march

April 25, 2008 - 12:33PM


World War II veteran Merv Clarke has been part of every Anzac Day march since 1946, but he's still waiting for official word that the war is over.

Mr Clarke was one of about 12,000 serviceman and women who marched through Brisbane's streets on Friday, cheered on by an estimated 60,000 spectators of all ages.

Speaking before Friday's march from George Street and through the middle of the CBD down Adelaide Street, the former RAAF radar mechanic recalled how his experience in Papua New Guinea ended.

"No one's ever told me that the war has finished," he said.

"I've never had an officer or anyone ever tell me the war was finished because the headquarters in the South Pacific was in Madang, and I was up over the other side.

"When I got back to Madang you couldn't get in your office or anything because there was all guards all around it, so no one ever told me the war was over."

Sitting in a defence force Jeep in the warm Brisbane sunshine with his great-grandson Jacob, Mr Clarke said the joy on people's faces was the highlight of the annual parade.

"The response from the people, seeing the young people carrying on what we call a tradition is a highlight of the day," Mr Clarke said.

Friday's march was Jacob's second with his great-grandfather, and was an event well worth the 200km trip from Dalby, the 14-year-old said.

"It's really good because you get all the stories and what's happened, it's a good history lesson," he said.

While the crowds enthusiastically cheered and waved Australian flags, the march began with a thunderous roar of a different kind.

Vietnam War veterans together with members of their various motorcycle clubs rode hundreds of Harley Davidsons into the CBD and parked along Elizabeth Street, providing a spectacular backdrop to the march preparations.

Adding to the commotion was a low fly-over by an RAAF jet, which caught many people off guard as they waited for the march to get underway.

Among the dignitaries watching on Friday was Queensland Governor and governor general designate Quentin Bryce, along with Queensland Premier Anna Bligh.

AAP

[Silver Bullet]