As black and white images from the Great War flashed on a big screen, the Kiama Men’s Probus Choir, Kiama Salvation Army Band and Sing Australia provided the musical backdrop to an emotional Centenary of Anzac Dawn Service.

As young and old packed the headland, RSL sub-branch president Ian Pullar invited the crowd to imagine being in the soldiers’ training (Barroul) camp which had been installed at the nearby Kiama Showground during 1916.

“From here they were trained to Sydney, and thence by sea to Albany, and from Albany to destiny and  thence to legend,’’ he said.

Under a cloudless starry sky, a clearly moved, Mr Pullar quoted the last verse from a poem written by young solider 2756  Pte JW Carr.

We’re leaving you, Kiama, for a far and distant shore

In a week or so we’ll say goodbye. Perhaps forever more

The glimmer from the lighthouse that the lonely sentry sees

And the Sunday morning Church parades, when we get on our knees

The blowhole and the motor rides we had to Jamberoo

Will always bring sweet memories I know to me and you

So au revoir, Kiama

You have treated us right well

We’ll think of you in Flanders and we’ll think of you in hell.

“Private Carr was one of those who never came back,’’ Mr Pullar said.

“He was killed in Villers Bretonneux on the 23rd of  April 1918. He and has no known grave.’’

With the blowhole the soldiers would have heard, gently puffing in the background, Mr Pullar also spoke about the history of Dawn Services including the generally-accepted thought that it was started formally by former chaplain in the 44th Battalion of the AIF Reverend Arthur Ernest White on April 25, 1923 at Albany, in West Australia.

Mr Pullar mentioned the more recent notion that a simple, silent pre-dawn remembrance was begun by Captain George Harrington and some companions in Toowoomba in 1919.  

While acknowledging  Padre White and Captain Harrington’s involvement in the unique Australian tradition , Mr Pullar said it was likely and logical that many such ceremonies  were conducted in many places from 1916.

“By the late 1920s, the dawn service had become an integral part of the Anzac commemorations where ever in the world they are held. Who would want it otherwise or imagine it not to be,’’ he said.

As the sun’s first rays peeked over the horizon,  Warwick Sporne played the Last Post on a bugle played on the Western Front. With The Lament piped,  The Ode read and, New Zealand and Australian anthems sung, the silent crowds moved off to watch the sun come up and reflect.

kiamaindependent.com.au