By Tanya Steele
Dandenong Ranges RSL hosted a special addition to their morning march for ANZAC Day 2024 in Sassafras.
A 98 year old veteran named Bill St Aubyn came to march with his grandson Jess Donavon for the first time.
Bill usually attends the dawn service at Box Hill and Mr Donovan at Sassafras, but this year he wanted his grandfather to march with him.
Both men have served, Bill served as an aircraft fitter with the Royal Australian Air Force in Borneo and Jess with the Royal Australian Navy in East Timor and the Arabian Gulf.
On their Facebook page, Dandenong Ranges RSL said that despite intermittent rain, the Hills Community again turned out en masse to honour and commemorate those who have served our country at our annual ANZAC Day March and Service at the Sassafras Village Green.
“This year we were honoured to be joined by Veterans from WWII all the way through to current day service.” the post read.
Bill recalled the announcement of the end of the war was received with some cheering and relief, and then the servicemen and women went back to work.
Bill then spent several months picking up the troops and prisoners of war around the surrounding island for repatriation to Australia and was flown to Laverton two days before Christmas in 1945.
His group were then transported outside Flinders Street Station where they were left to find their own way home – he caught a taxi to his home in Richmond and his daughter Christine St Aubyn said that no one was home to see him.
“The fare was paid and Dad broke into the empty house,” she said.
After joining a holiday camping with his family at Rye he soon resumed work as a telephone technician. He has served as an active RSL member since 1947 – most of his contemporaries have passed away but he has many friends at Box Hill RSL.
Christine said it’s difficult to draw him out regarding his war service and it was a frightening time for all those young men.
“He speaks of being on guard at night in the jungle, in the pitch black, with his back against a tree to avoid a Japanese bayonet,” she said.
Jess credits his grandfather for his own career pathway and said that Mr St Aubyn was “pretty wrapped” when he decided to serve.
“He would have preferred I joined the airforce of course,” he said.
Christine said that her father thinks that his longevity is half luck, half keeping busy and being engaged with people.
“He is much loved and respected,” she said.
“I think the fact of him being up and out in the cold and rain, participating in today’s activities, shows you a little of his sheer grit,” she said.
The spirit of ANZAC day shines through Bill and Christine said her Dad encourages his extensive family to attend ANZAC Day events, can explain the meaning of the rituals, and takes the opportunity to tell grand and great-grand children some of his stories.
“It’s important for us to know the history behind just how we all get to live in a peaceful country,” she said.
Bill was joined on the march by another veteran, Charles who is now 92, served in Vietnam and marched with his son Neil who lives in Kalorama.
Charles said he was happy to be at the service with his son.
After the march, the community gathered at the Sassafras Reserve for the service.
Dave Diprose performed a beautiful song called “Last of the Horsemen” dedicated to his own grandfather and Jacqui Ring and Eddie Lee read “In Flanders Fields” to the crowd.
President of the Dandong Ranges Branch invited Mr Donovan to lay the wreath this year on behalf of the RSL and he took his grandfather up to do it with him.
Sarah Camm played the Last Post and a minute’s silence was observed, Sassafras Primary School students led the national anthems sung by all.
“It’s a day of remembrance and I am glad to be with my family,” Bill said.
