Child Soldiers Remembered in Scone

“WHEN people think of war and veterans they think of old people”, said George Clementson, from Scone Returned Services League sub-branch.

But this year the veterans were followed in the ANZAC Day parade by a group of Year 11 and 12 students.

Veterans and school children gathered in Scone for the ANZAC Day service.

“They were placed there to remind you that it was people this age that went to war,” said Mr Clementson.

“There are veterans standing here today who probably went to war at a younger age than these students,” he said.

“There were many people who were boy soldiers, people who enlisted when they were under 18 years of age,” George Clementson.

Mr Clementson went on to recount the stories of boys who fought in World War I, one was Jim Martin who at the age of 14 was the youngest Australian soldier to die in battle.

The roll of honour at the Australian War Memorial include three 14 year olds, eight 15 year olds, 44 16 year olds, 105 17 year olds who were killed in action or died from their wounds.

Val Quinell, president of the Scone RSL sub-branch commented on how wonderful it was for so many school children to attend the service during their school holidays and went on to speak of Sandakan death marches by the Japanese during World War II.

“At the time of the Japanese surrender on August 15, 1945, only six had survived the horrors of the Sandakan prisoner of war camp and the Sandakan Death Marches,” said Mr Quinell.

“They had escaped into the jungle either during the death marches or at Ranau,” he said.

“2,390 prisoners from the Sandakan camp had been murdered by the Japanese  cold blood or by starvation, sickness and overwork,” he said.

“This brutal treatment of these prisoners at the hands of the Japanese must never be forgotten,” Val Quniell said.

Lieutenant Andrew Pham from the Singleton army base was the guest speaker at the service and talked about why the growing crowds for ANAC Day should be no surprise when we consider the spirit of our nation.

Readmore about Lieutenant Pham, his service in Iraq and his speech at the service: Serving Soldier: Why ANZAC Crowds are Growing.

The Scone Grammar School band and choir performed at the service playing a song by former Sconeite Reverand Glen Hughes “A Soldier and His Horse”, Reverand Nate Atkinson led the service in prayers and wreaths were laid by various community groups.

Special guests included: Guy Guiana from the local police, Councillors James Burns and Reverand Nate Atkinson.