Nashos honoured at Murray Bridge Anzac Day service
The 75th anniversary of National Service has been recognised as part of the 2026 dawn service at Sturt Reserve.
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Australia’s national servicemen have been given special recognition at Saturday morning’s Anzac Day service in Murray Bridge.
This year marked the 75th anniversary of the National Service scheme, Murray Bridge RSL president Rod Harris told the crowd as the sun rose over Sturt Reserve.
About 280,000 young men were called up into the Australian Defence Force during the 1950s, or the Army between 1964 and 1972.
About 19,000 fought in the Vietnam War or served in Borneo, Malaysia, Singapore or Papua New Guinea after having their birthdays drawn in a random ballot.
Two hundred paid the supreme sacrifice, and almost 1300 were wounded.
There was a saying, Mr Harris said: “National Servicemen were in the army to do a job, and the regulars were in there to get a job.”
At least 1500 people attended Saturday’s service in Murray Bridge in mild, clear conditions, the most pleasant for Anzac Day in several years.
Among the attendees were 30 New Zealanders travelling aboard the Murray Princess.
In deference, God Defend New Zealand was played over a loudspeaker right after Murray Bridge Community Concert Band finished Advance Australia Fair.
Representatives of around two dozen organisations laid wreaths in front of the war memorial, and Lutheran Pastor Paul Calnan gave a benediction, praying for restraint for world leaders and humility and hope for the rest of us.
As has become tradition, Mr Harris also shared the story of an individual veteran from the district.
This year it was Wally O’Connor, a locomotive cleaner from Meningie who went on to serve in both the First and Second World Wars.
Lieutenant O’Connor was awarded both the Military Medal and Military Cross for gallantry and resourcefulness after being wounded in action at Proyart, France during the Battle of Amiens in 1918.
He re-enlisted in 1940, achieved the rank of captain and served at the 4th Military District Recruit Reception and General Details Depot in Adelaide prior to his discharge in 1946.
Rod Harris leads Saturday morning's service while a catafalque party member stands at arms beside Murray Bridge's war memorial. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
Tributes given to national servicemen around Australia will continue on from those offered on National Serviceman’s Day, February 14.
“In a time when many Australians were weary of war, ‘nashos’ put their lives on hold and stood ready to defend our nation,”Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said at the time.
“Compulsory military service was a major interruption to their young lives, one over which they had no control.
“(Yet) regardless of whether service was voluntary or conscripted, in Australia or overseas, everyone who has served a day in our nation’s uniform is a veteran who deserves to be commemorated.”
- More information: anzacportal.dva.gov.au.
