A large number of people made their way to Wombat's dawn service this morning, as Anzac Day events return across the Hilltops.
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As the sun rose, bagpiper Stephen Ross played the pipes and led the Murrumburrah Light Horse along Young Street to the service at the corner of Rose Street.
Neil Barry welcomed those in attendance and honoured all men and women who served in various conflicts and wars.
He introduced Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke who paid special tribute to members of the Wombat community, James Edwin Ashton, Leo Eric Williams and Sister Elizabeth McRae, who served in WWI.
"James Edwin Ashton, a labourer who lived on Wombat Road. James didn't enlist until August, 1916, months after the long casualty list of the Australians killed, wounded or missing would have been published following the disastrous Battle of the Somme. He may of had some idea of what happened to his countrymen in July at the infamous Battle of Fromelles when over 2000 Australians had been killed in a single disastrous attack. And yet he signed up. When he was killed in France on June 15, 1918 his personal possessions were simple; two combs and a mirror, a religious book, a notebook, photos and six coins. The small fragments left of a life," Ms Cooke said.
"We remember men like Leo Eric Williams, a farmer from Wombat who joined almost two years to the day before the Armistice ending the First World War would be signed. Leo's mother and father had to sign his enlistment form because he was only 18 when he joined up in September, 1916. Leo found himself in Italy where he developed malaria, the ongoing effects of which would eventually see him discharged as medically unfit.
"And people like Sr Elizabeth McRae, born on a farm near Wombat who enlisted on April 26, 1915. Lizzy would see service at the 1st Australian General Hospital, Cairo treating men and boys who laid in the unforgiving Mediterranean sun for days, nursing their wounds and illnesses inflicted on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Later she would find herself dangerously close to the front lines in France at the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station trying to put together shattered men and broken bodies. This proximity would cause Lizzy a lifetime of lung issues, as she fell victim to a gas attack but she still remained on duty.
"It is remarkable that a community as small as Wombat has given so much to this nation. So this morning as we gather together let us remember those who lost loved ones, good mates and share in the grief that continues to echo through the generations.
"May we never forget the debt we owe. Lest we forget," Ms Cooke concluded.
The service included hymns and prayers.
A number of wreaths were laid at the base of a tree that is a descendant of the Lone Pine tree at Gallipoli.
A bugler played the Last Post and Reveille before the bagpiper and Light Horse made their way back down the hill towards the Wombat Hotel where breakfast was on offer.
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