Special visitor commemorates the ANZACs in Chesterfield
Chesterfield welcomes a special visitor from the Antipodes to recognise the efforts of Australia and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
Australian resident Barry Telfer, who is in the UK for a conference, is a skilled bugler and has played at his local remembrance service in Perth, Western Australia.
Barry will play the Last Post and Reveille at the ceremony which will also include a one minute silence and lay a poppy.
Mr Telfer has a very personal connection with the event. His paternal grandfather Thomas Telfer served in the 12th Australian Infantry Battalion during the First World War as did his great uncle, Harry Dixon, of the 16th Battalion, who was killed in Hamel Wood in July 1918. Harry’s younger brother, Gerry, went on to serve in the Second World War at Tobruk, El Alamein, New Guinea and Borneo.
His maternal great uncle Ernest Brennen also of the 16th Australian Infantry Battalion was killed in Gallipoli.
Barry says:-
“When my Uncle Gerry died, I inherited his medals and started to take an interest in my family’s military service. I started bugling for various ANZAC Day services as well as Remembrance Day commemorations.
“In 2009 in I attended dawn service at Gallipoli and visited Uncle Ernest’s grave, then went to Western Front to Uncle Harry’s grave. At each location I had my bugle and played the Last Post for them. This year I am involved in a project to help coordinate 100 buglers for 100 years, being 100 years since the Armistice.
“I am in the UK for an international conference and planned to stop at a war memorial on ANZAC Day and pay my respects by playing the Last Post and placing a poppy. I am delighted to be given this opportunity to play at this commemoration in Chesterfield.”
Organised as part of Chesterfield Borough Council-led commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the war, a short service will be held at the war memorial on Rose Hill, opposite the Town Hall at 11am on Wednesday 25 April. People should be in place for 10.45am.
ANZAC day is traditionally held on this day to remember members of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces who served in wars and peacekeeping duties.
Councillor Steve Brunt, Cabinet Member for Town Centres and Visitor Economy at Chesterfield Borough Council, said:-
“Australian and New Zealand forces played a key role in the First World War and it is right that we commemorate the sacrifices they made.
“Everyone is welcome to come along and join in the commemoration at the war memorial to mark the occasion. I would like to offer particular thanks to Mr Telfer for offering to play at the event. It will be a great honour to welcome Barry Telfer who has played bugle at many remembrance services in Australia to lead our commemoration on ANZAC day.”
There will also be a dawn service to commemorate the day at 5am at Spital Cemetery organised by the Friends of Spital Cemetery.
