4 Field Regiment (SVN) 'Old Boys' Newsletter - June 2010

13 ANZAC DAY IN SYDNEY – 2010 by Kerry Boyce This year the Dawn Service at the Cenotaph; in Martin Place, Sydney, was cold and wet; but there was still a very large crowd that spilled over George Street and up the hill on the other side of Pitt Street. Andrew Murray and I managed to get a good possie; where we could at least see the ceremony on the big screen - but it was out in the rain and Andrew forgot the brollies…. The march itself kicked-off (for the Vietnam contingents) a lot earlier than normal which caught most of us– especially the die-hards in the early openers - off guard. The early start, I think, was because of the weather and because of, sadly, the dwindling numbers of World War Two diggers. So amid much haste and utter confusion, Andrew and I proudly carried your regiment’s glorious banner, in the face of monsoonal rains and against hurricane force winds, for the entire length of the march, to the rapturous roar of a large and adoring crowd. Andrew was disappointed though - only three women, this year, threw their knickers at him; I was pleased because, for once, I managed to avoid stepping in the Mounted Police horse shit! This year, we had the march done and dusted and had all retired to the Coronation Pub in Park Street, for the post march de-brief, well before 12 noon – which is usually when we are just kicking off. After a thorough de-briefing the assembled gunners of all persuasions (that is, including those of other lesser regiments) formed up into smaller groups and moved out to paint the town red. Although not nearly as red as in past years  I, in the company of the usual suspects, namely: Andrew Murray, Bill Smith, Barry Garrett, Mick Powers, Peter Oakes, Garry Thompson, and maybe a couple of others my failing faculties cannot now recall; wandered over to the Bowlers’ Club in York Street so that Mick Powers can, again, sate his lust for Chinese chili prawns. After enjoying our annual Chinese Banquet, and after, once again, failing to sneak out without paying – and after, this year, saving Peter Oakes from an bar room altercation with this really mean looking dude dressed in cams and with really violent looking tatts and ugly scars and everything; AND who Bill Smith is sure he’s seen on Australia’s Most Wanted – we ran off in the general direction of the Paragon at the Quay to win at Two-Up. Well, some of us did. Some of us, who were up at 03:00, decided to call it a day. So that, dear friends, was, basically, my ANZAC Day in Sydney - it’s much the same every year. It is a great day and we would love if some year you can join us. Take care. Kerry