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As dawn rose over Albany on1 November 1914, thirty-eight ships of the fleet sat at anchor in the waters of the Southern Ocean in King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour, off Albany.
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In Albany, before the convoy embarked on the journey across the world, one of the padres assigned to the fleet, the Reverend Arthur White, Padre 44th Battalion 1st Australian Imperial Force, conducted a service for the men before the dawn broke. The town folk of Albany lined the shores and climbed to the peak of Mount Clarence, overlooking the sound to farewell the convoy of volunteers as it sailed away from Albany:
Mount Clarence and the beautiful hillsides of Albany had become the last glimpse of Australia for so many of the passengers of the troopships.
In 1916, 25 April was officially named ANZAC Day. Marches were held throughout Australia and thousands of ANZAC troops paraded in London city in honour of the ANZACs who were dubbed othe knights of Gallipoli.
History gives no firm date of the first ANZAC Day Dawn Service that was held in Albany to commemorate the Australian New Zealand Army Corps. Many reports give the 25 April 1923 as the date of the first service, but Albany historian, Joan Bartlett quotes 1930 as the more accurate date. On that date a wreath was floated out into the King George Sound and another wreath was laid at the memorial in Albany.
1 The original training and campground of the Horse Brigade at Blackboy Hill, north of Perth, is dedicated to the Horse Brigade, with a walk trail and information on the camp. 2 The Princess Royal Harbour, Albany is regarded as being one of the best harbours in the world, and one of the most beautiful. 3 Mount Clarence overlooks the Princes Royal Harbour and the King George Sound, Albany. 4 Originally erected in Port Said, the massive and splendid bronze of a rampant horse complete with ANZAC rider has been re-erected at the peak of Mount Clarence. This is the ANZAC Light Horse Memorial to the Galipolli Warriors. 5 The base of the statue bears bullet marks from the Suez crisis in which it was damaged and is the reason why the statue was relocated to stand majestically against the sunrise over the King George Sound. 6 The Australian War Memorial is located in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 7 Fittingly, the window of the office of the Prime Minister of Australia is in direct and unbroken line with the War Memorial, in order that he contemplates the price paid by the ANZACs when he makes a decision of importance to Australia. 7 The spirit of the ANZAC Day Dawn Service that began lo long ago in Albany grows stronger each year, with generations of young Australians and new Australians increasingly taking part in daybreak services throughout Australia on 25 April.
Albany ANZACs Albany South West WA - Western Australia
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Western Australia - Map of Albany Australia
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