IPSWICH is a military proud city, past and present, and last Friday Milford Grange Aged Cared home marked Remembrance Day, with five veterans who gave their service for our freedoms present as the very special guests of honour.
The service at the Silkstone venue was attended by 50 people, including World War II veterans Jean Bird (98), Olive Pugh (99), Harry Griffiths (100), Doug Simmonds (101), and Jim Clark (100).
The eldest of the five veterans, Mr Simmonds moved to Milford Grange 15 years ago.
He is from a military proud family, with his father having served in World War I.
Mr Simmonds has a long connection to Ipswich, having started an apprenticeship with the Railway Workshops in 1940 aged 16.
Putting his wood machining apprenticeship on hold, he joined the Air Force in 1942.
“From Amberley, they booked us into the Coogee Bay Hotel in Sydney right opposite the beach, after we did our course there, they then sent me to a place called Nowra in Jervis Bay,” he said.
“That was my first posting during the war and the funny thing is now, I have a great-grandson who has joined the Navy, and at the present time he is stationed at the same base in Nowra.
“We can talk to each other about life at Jervis Bay without worry.”
Apologies were sent from State Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard, who sent a representative in Tyler Brennan to lay a wreath on her behalf.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann, also sent his apologies, with William Hartley laying a wreath on his behalf.
Mayor Teresa Harding, State Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum, and Councillor Marnie Doyle also sent their apologies.
The music of The Salvation Army band from Bundamba provided the backdrop for the service, with the commemorative address given by 30-year Royal Australian Air Force serviceman Stewart Cook.
