17 April 2014

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said he was delighted that a number of local descendants of ANZAC soldiers had secured tickets to the centenary dawn service in Gallipoli in 2015.

Mr Taylor said anyone who had applied through the Gallipoli Ballot to attend the commemoration would have heard recently from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“There was an overwhelming response to the ballot with more than 42 000 Australians applying for tickets to the centenary dawn service. The Turkish Government had to impose a limit on attendees and Australia was given approximately 8000 passes,” Mr Taylor said.

“Andrew Cochrane from Yass is a worthy recipient. His father, also Andrew, served as a signaller with the 6^th Light Horse Regiment, sailing from Sydney on the SS Chilka in April 1915.

“He was shot in the arm while in Gallipoli and was involved in the famous Battle of Beersheba in October 1917, but arrived home safely to Australia in 1919. His son Andrew has never been to Gallipoli and will be travelling to the dawn service in Turkey next year with his wife Ann to mark the centenary.”

“Retired naval captain, James (Jo) Morrice, from the Southern Highlands, whose father also served in Gallipoli, will be attending the dawn service with one of his sons. Captain Morrice says his father, Corporal Arthur Morrice, was a machine gunner in the 13^th Battalion. He was injured in action and nursed by his own sister Nellie Morrice in Egypt.

“As we mark Anzac Day this year, and for the months approaching the centenary of Gallipoli, many of us will be reflecting on the young men who fought for our freedom 100 years ago,” Mr Taylor said.

“My grandfather was badly wounded in the trenches in France during the Great War. His brother was killed in action in France. The story is central to my family history and from a very young age I have understood the significance of Anzac Day and the heroism of our WWI soldiers. I will be attending the Dawn Service at Yass Memorial Hall this Anzac Day.”