Mayor Peter Petty’s address at the dawn service focused on the contribution made by those in Tenterfield and surrounds, based on research done by RSL Sub-branch member Bryce Titcume.

“By this time in 1917, Australia had been at war for over two years,” Cr Petty said. “The sacrifices made to date had been enormous. Thousands of lives had been lost.

“One can only imagine the trauma of answering the front door to see, standing there, a telegram boy with news of the death of your son.  Nevertheless young men from all over Australia continued to enlist and Tenterfield district was no different.”

The 33rd Australian Infantry Battalion raised at the Armidale Showground camp in January 1916 initially formed along regional lines, with 'D' Company from Glen Innes, Guyra, and Tenterfield. The Battalion’s first major conflict on the Western Front was the Battle of Messines on June 7, 1917. Of the 92 lost, 22 were from D Company.

The Battalion also fought at Ypres, Passchendaele, Amiens, Villers Bretonneux and the Hindenburg Line, and remained in Northern France until the armistice was signed in November 1918. During the course of WWI 451 members of the battalion were killed in action or died of wounds, and 2052 were wounded.

Members of the 33rd Battalion received two Victoria Crosses, four Distinguished Service Orders, 22 Military Crosses, 19 Distinguished Conduct Medals (one to a Tenterfield soldier), 76 Military Medals (three to Tenterfield soldiers), and 25 members were Mentioned in Despatches (one a Tenterfield soldier).

“The 33rd has been recognised as an exceptionally fine unit – one of the best,” Cr Petty told the crowd.

“This is but one example of the achievements of Australian soldiers during WWI. During the course of today, spare a thought for the young men who, all those years ago, walked in the same streets that we walk in and who were ready to serve this great nation of ours.

“Especially spare a thought for those who, making the ultimate sacrifice, never returned to walk in these streets again.”