The Grenfell RSL sub-Branch will today, Anzac Day, host the town’s official Anzac march up Main Street as well as the Dawn Service and the Main Service both to be held at Memorial Park.
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Proceedings will commence at 5.45 am with the Dawn Service followed by breakfast at the Railway Hotel. At 8 am the annual pilgrimage to the Grenfell cemetery will take place.
Participants in the march are then asked to assemble in Main Street near the Christian Book Shop at 10.30 am with the march to commence at 10.45 am and the Service at 11 am. From 12.30 pm – 3.30 pm there will be Two Up at the Criterion Hotel followed by even more Two Up at the Railway Hotel from 3.30 pm until late.
2018 Guest Speaker
This years guest speaker is Mr John M McGrath. Mr McGrath is an ex-Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland who has strong, significant ties to Grenfell.
Mr McGrath was actually born and raised in Brisbane having had a successful career in Law, he is now retired and the Grenfell RSL and the wider community are delighted to have him as our Anzac Day guest speaker. Mr McGrath’s mother, Moya McGrath (nee Thompson) was the daughter of Jack Thompson and grew up in Grenfell during the 1930’s.
His grandfather Jack joined the AIF with his brother Bede in February 1916. They were assigned to the 3rd re-enforcement of the 45th Battalion. Jack joined the 45th Battalion on the Western Front in October 1916 and served with them until June 1918 when he was sent to Oxford in England to train as an Officer. During his time with the 45th Battalion his service on the front included: Gueudecourt in the Somme, Bullecourt, Messines where he was slightly wounded, Passnedale, Dernacourt and Villers-Bretonneux. The armistice occurred before Jack completed his officer training.
Jack returned to Australia a First Lieutenant in June 1919. He lived in Brisbane during most of the 1920’s and returned to Grenfell in 1930 when his father passed away. During the 1930’s Jack stayed in Grenfell and looked after the estate and interests of his late father. He was involved in the local militia and was elected Mayor of Grenfell.