By SONJA KOREMANS
THE centenary of the Anzac legend will be commemorated with great pride by these three young local descendants of World War I heroes.
Kate, 12, and Fitzroy Somerset, 15, from Dalveen and Connie Anne Sue Tin, 7, from Warwick are among thousands of Anzac descendants from the Southern Downs who will mark one of the the most significant periods in the nation’s history on Saturday, 100 years since the Gallipoli landing.
The Somerset siblings will lay a wreath at the SCOTS PGC College’s dawn service on Friday to honour their great grandfather Captain Charles William Somerset MC for his courageous deeds on the battle fields of Gallipoli and France.
They are immensely proud to have an Anzac in the family, and especially as he won the Military Cross for gallantry in fierce battles at Flers, Pozieres and Mouquet Farm.
Connie Anne Sue Tin is the great-great-great niece of sniper Billy Sing who, through his courage and skill, saved many lives on the slopes of Gallipoli.
Billy enlisted in the 5th Light Horse Regiment but due to his Chinese heritage had to change his name to make the count, so spelt his name Singh, of Afghan descent, and was accepted.
Private Sing was one of Australia’s greatest marksmen during the war and has been the inspiration for books and television mini series.
Connie will also lay a wreath at the college cenotaph tomorrow.
This year, the school will honour former student Warrant Officer Keith Lambert Hamilton who was killed in action in World War II. More than 20 of his relatives will attend the service.
The Warwick community is invited to the SCOTS PGC College’s dawn service which will be held from 6am.
Queendsland LNP leader Lawrence Springborg and Federal LNP Maranoa MP Bruce Scott will be attending.
