SECURING a coveted position to attend the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli is a dream come true for Dubbo woman Robyn Holmes.
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“I feel incredibly honoured and humbled,” she said yesterday.
“To be in such a significant place on such an important occasion will be amazing.”
Mrs Holmes was raised by an original Anzac and has attended services on April 25 all her life.
Her grandfather Aubrey Ernest Musgrave was among the first troops to land at Anzac Cove.
A noted marksman, he shot with deadly effect, survived wounds that left him with a permanent limp and was fortunate enough to return to Australia.
“He never spoke about the war but our family has always appreciated the enormous role Australian forces played fighting for their country,” Mrs Holmes said.
“I’ve always wanted to visit the Gallipoli peninsular. My cousin Veronica Musgrave of Sydney submitted our names half-an-hour before the close of the Australian government 100th anniversary Anzac ballot.
“We couldn’t believe it when we were successful. It must have been meant to be.
“We will travel to Gallipoli on April 21 next year.
“Our trip will include a 10-day tour of Turkey.”
Tomorrow Mrs Holmes and her husband Robert will take up their usual positions at the dawn service before laying a wreath remembering family members who served in WWI, WWII and Vietnam.
“Anzac Day has always been special for us,” she said.
SECURING a coveted position to attend the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landings at Gallipoli is a dream come true for Dubbo woman Robyn Holmes.
“I feel incredibly honoured and humbled,” she said yesterday.
“To be in such a significant place on such an important occasion will be amazing.”
Mrs Holmes was raised by an original Anzac and has attended services on April 25 all her life.
Her grandfather Aubrey Ernest Musgrave was amongst the first troops to land at Anzac Cove.
A noted marksman, he shot with deadly effect, survived wounds that left him with a permanent limp and was fortunate enough to return to Australia.
“He never spoke about the war but our family has always appreciated the enormous role Australian forces played fighting for their country,” Mrs Holmes said.
“I’ve always wanted to visit the Gallipoli peninsular. My cousin Veronica Musgrave of Sydney submitted our names half an hour before the close of the Australian government 100th anniversary Anzac ballot.
“We couldn’t believe it when we were successful. It must have been meant to be.
“We will travel to Gallipoli on April 21 next year. Our trip will include a 10-day tour of Turkey.”
Tomorrow ((FRI)) Mrs Holmes and her husband Robert will take up their usual positions at the dawn service before laying a wreath remembering family members who served in WWI, WWII and Vietnam.
“Anzac Day has always been special for us,” she said.
“My grandfather was a 26-year-old motor mechanic when he enlisted in the AIF. He was one of the first volunteers and had 173 as his regimental number.
“Prior to the outbreak of WWI he had been in the militia at Bathurst and was awarded a number of marksman awards at military competitions.
“A pre-war photograph shows a handsome young man with 20 medals pinned on his uniform.
“He became a sharp shooter at Gallipoli and was wounded in action on a number of occasions.”
On August 27, 1915 acting Company Sergeant Major Aubrey Musgrave was part of a 350 man detachment from the 4th infantry brigade on the right flank of an attack on Hill 60.
In the centre were 300 New Zealanders from the Mounted Rifles with 100 of the Australian 18th battalion. On the left were 250 men of the 5th British Connaught Rangers.
Military historians described the right flank attack as a disaster. Two-thirds of the men and all except one officer were killed or wounded. Aubrey Musgrave was among the few survivors who managed to crawl back to the Australian trenches.
He was evacuated off Gallipoli and spent several months in the Middle East recuperating from his wounds.
Aubrey was discharged on May 8, 1916 in the unique category of being an original wounded Anzac.
On his return to Australia he was appointed a state recruiting officer for the army, air force and navy working in Bathurst and later Wellington.
“I remember all the young men who came to our house,” Mrs Holmes said.
“They looked up to my grandfather. He was regarded as a fine gentleman and a gallant soldier.”